Jeff Riger: Verlander Wins 2 Players Choice Awards
On Thursday night Justin Verlander won a couple of the many awards that the ace will rack up this off-season. Verlander took home the Major League Baseball Players Choice awards for the Player of the Year and the American League Outstanding Pitcher of the Year. In 2011 Verlander went a Major League best 24 and 5 and also led the game in ERA, innings pitched, games started, strike outs and WHIP. For the Player of the Year award, Verlander beat out Boston's Adrian Gonzalez and New York's Curtis Granderson and for the Outstanding Pitcher of the Year honor, the 5 time All Star won over the Ray's James Shields and the Angels Jared Weaver.
Throughout the season, Verlander usually ducked the topic of how good he was pitching but on Thursday via a conference call the Goochland VA. native finally answered saying "looking back at it and kind of seeing where the number stack up to some of the other pitching performances over time, you know even to be mentioned in that category, I know it quite doesn't stand up to some of them. But just when they start talking about one of the great seasons in baseball, that's something pretty special and I think I'll be looking back at this one for a long time."
The Players Choice award is voted on and decided on strictly by major league players and that is something that means a lot to Verlander "It means a lot, you know coming from your peers makes it all the more special. I think with all the talk about; should a pitcher be able to win a MVP or a top player award? You know I think it shows a lot of support from my fellow players for them to vote me that" said Verlander
With the awards comes 20 thousand dollars for the Outstanding Pitcher honor and 50 thousand for the Player of the Year achievement to be donated to Verlander's charity of choice. In addition to the 70 thousand total dollars, Verlander will add 30 thousand of his own money, meaning 50 thousand will go to the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor and 50 thousand going to the VA Hospital in Detroit. "I added a little bit to make it a nice round number, I wanted to donate some of my own money because it is a personal cause, something that I believe in said Verlander.
Verlander now waits to see if he won the Cy Young Award and MVP, those awards will be announced next week.
