Crishad's MLB Awards

The regular season ended yesterday, so here are my awards for the 2009 MLB Season. If only I had a vote...

MVP

American League: Joe Mauer, Catcher, Minnesota Twins

Joe Mauer leads the league in everything right now. Average, OPS, Slugging percentage, homeless people helped out on the street, Jesus powers used during a baseball game. EVERYTHING. He didn't lead the league in home runs, but Joe Mauer had his best season as a pro. Consider that his one knock before the season was that he had no power. You want power? 28 home runs later, Joe Mauer has become a complete player and possibly the best player in baseball. To get the offensive production that Mauer gives behind the plate is certifiably insane. Anyone who doesn't vote for Joe for MVP should have their head examined on the spot (and then they can flash their ESPN badge).

National League: Albert Pujols, First Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals

Pujols didn't have much help the majority of the season, and he was still able to crank 50 bombs. This man rivals Mr. Mauer as the best player in baseball. His defense is just as good as his offense, and he's able to pull a Kirby Puckett in terms of telling his team to get on his back and let him carry him to a title. Pujols is starting to become our generations Barry Bonds minus the steroids. I like the commercial in which they talk about our grandparents talking about Joe DiMaggio, and our dad talking about Hank Aaron. Then they mention about how we'll tell our kids about Albert Pujols. I think they're on to something there.

Cy Young

American League: Zack Grienke, Kansas City Royals

Looking at his path before this season is enough to give this guy the award, but he was pretty damn good on the mound. Royals fans have wanted Grienke to let loose for years and this is the year he finally did it. Think of how bad the Royals were, and then consider that Grienke still won 16 games for them. That's pretty good. Felix Hernandez and CC Sabathia were awesome this year as well, but you have to give the award to Grienke here.

National League: Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

Chris Carpenter was supposed to be done. So much for those experts. Carpenter racked up 17 wins for the division winning Cardinals. I have to give it to him over Dan Haren and Tim Lincecum.

Manager of the Year

American League: Mike Soscia, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

One of your young prospects dies, shaking up your entire team. The rest of the pitching staff is plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness the majority of the year and you still make the playoffs? Hats of to Soscia for this job!

National League: Jim Tracy, Colorado Rockies

The Rox were left for dead in May, and then they caught fire ala the 2006 Twins after they fired manager Clint Hurdle. The Rockies could find themselves in the NLCS by the end of the month, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.