Will votes come in for Pena?
It's pretty likely that Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez will win his third AL MVP award in the last five years Monday afternoon, but it will be interesting to see where Rays 1B Carlos Pena will figure in the voting.
Pena's season, in which he set Rays club records in homers, RBIs, total bases and slugging percentage, will be hard for the voters to ignore. And Pena's comeback season was one of the feel-good stories of the season.
Last week, Rays RF Delmon Young finished second in AL Rookies of the Year voting, but was entirely left off eight of the 28 ballots, a fact that Rays manager Joe Maddon chalked up to "personal prejudice," as we reported in today's Times.
But the AL MVP is different in a couple ways. Voters rank 10 players (as opposed to the top three in ROY balloting). And while Pena will likely be hurt by playing for a last-place team, writers know him well as one of the nicest guys in baseball, which right or wrong, could make a difference.
What do the readership think? Where will Pena fall in the MVP race?
We'll find out Monday at 2.
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Unsure. Where ever it may be don't let it minimize the season you had Mr Pena. Your hard work and professional attitude is greatly appreciated by the Rays fans.
Posted by: zippy | November 19, 2007 at 02:17 PM
LIke most people, my guess is that the top vote getters will be A-Rod & Ordonez. After that, there are a number of candidates who deserve consideration including Posada, Granderson, Ortiz, Vlad and maybe Ichiro. I think Pena belongs in that group. Barring some strange votes or the inclusion of pitchers, I think he will finish 6th after Granderson, Ortiz and Posada.
Were I voting, I would probably be biased enough to place him #3, but I say that without really looking at the determining factors very thoroughly.
Posted by: Bob R. | November 19, 2007 at 05:19 AM
he shouldnt be that far down. i mean, the guy had the 2nd most homers in the AL, had a pretty respectable average at .282, and played a hell of a first base. Also, if it werent for him i dont know who our future plans for first base would be unless we do indeed draft alverez. he fits into our plans perfectly, and i dont think you can ask for more out of your 1st baseman.
Posted by: Ryan Callahan | November 19, 2007 at 01:21 AM