Phillies Gold Gloves, NL, AL Rookies of Year
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Last week, while I was taking a bit of a break from blogging, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and centerfielder Shane Victorino received Gold Glove Awards at their respective positions.
While many may think that 2nd baseman Chase Utley and 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz were robbed, and may have point regarding Feliz, but I think that Utley took a step down in quite a few games during the during June through August when both his offense and defense suffered.
Tim Malcolm of Phillies Nation provides a rundown of the NL award winners at each position.
While talking about Jimmy Rollins, one wild rumor came out the West Coast regarding a possible Philies trade of Rollins. This is precisely why I try to stay away from trade rumors generally, and particularly when they turn out to be insane and hot air.
Rollins is too valuable to the Phillies with the multi-dimensions that he has shown, particularly over the past 2 seasons. Whether he’s stealing bases like in 2008, or racking up homers like in 2007, he’s the heart and inspiration for this club, even though he may have gotten lax at points in the season. He was there when it counted and has sparked September rushes for the past 2 seasons. Even though I’m not thrilled with his support for Obama, he makes the Phillies go. As the saying goes, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it for you may change a cog and bring the machine to a screeching halt.
I’m glad to see the Phils re-sign lefthanded reliever Scott Eyre for next season at $2 million — a bargain compliment for J.C. Romero out of the left side of the pen. The AP report notes;
Eyre was 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 19 appearances for Philadelphia. He had 18 strikeouts in 14 1-3 innings… The lefty specialist held left-handed hitters to a .220 average with one home run allowed in 50 at-bats.
Eyre saw crucial duty in all-important September and delivered in the spots where he was called upon in the Playoffs and in the World Series.
Congrats to both Cubs catcher Geovany Soto and Tampa Bay 3rd baseman Evan Longoria for winning Rookie of the Year Awards in their respective leagues.
Soto had a fine year producing quite wallop in power at the catcher’s position for the Cubs with 23 homers, 86 RBIs to go along with a .285 BA while catching in 141 games. However, he slumped to 6 for 32 over the last 10 games of the regular season and 2 for 11 against the Dodgers as the Cubs went down in 3 games in his first taste of playoff ball.
Longoria likewise had a fine rookie season, hitting 27 homers, with 85 RBIs and a .272 for the surprising Rays. But like Soto, he was 7 for 39 down the stretch of the final 10 games of September. In the playoffs, he was 11 for 42 with 6 homers and 13 RBI’s, but went 1 for 20 against the Phils in the World Series.
The National League announces its’ Cyoung Award winner later on Tuesday, the Managers of the Year are scheduled to be announced on Wednesday and the AL Cy Young announcement is scheduled for Thursday.
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