Comments on: MVP! MVP! MVP!

By: Cade

Cade — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 05:17:21 +0000

I love pancakes. I love Lou. I love lamp.

By: pashnsmash

pashnsmash — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:14:34 +0000

This paragraph from Paul Sullivan’s write-up is all kinds of Lou-awesome:

“As soon as Hamels was removed, however, the Cubs’ offense finally began to strut its stuff. Mike Fontenot cranked a pinch-hit home run off reliever Ryan Madsen, Alfonso Soriano followed with a double into what Piniella called “the ivory,” and Ryan Theriot advanced Soriano to third with a single to right.”

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:44:33 +0000

Originally Posted By RickYou're right, without Ramirez in the middle of the lineup, where's the beef? By the way, the Cubs only had 85 wins last year, not 87.

Thanks. Fixed.

By: BigFlax

BigFlax — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:43:13 +0000

I mean, by the numbers, it’s hard to argue that Ramirez is as valuable as, say, Pujols. But there’s little doubt that he’s been the most valuable Cub this year, at least on the offensive end, and I’m sure he’ll get a decent amount of MVP votes. The BBWAA sometimes will give the award to the best player on the best team (that’s how guys like Morneau and Tejada have awards, or Jimmy Rollins last year), and if the Cardinals miss the playoffs and the Cubs finish 8-9 games ahead of the Brewers… well, with Ludwick and Pujols splitting some votes, and Braun and Fielder probably splitting some votes, and with the D-Backs lacking a good contender for the award, A-Ram might have a chance if he can creep up near 35 homers and knock in 120, although Soriano may siphon some votes with a strong finish (he and A-Ram finished 12th and 13th last year). He’s not, strictly speaking, the most valuable guy in the league, but that guy rarely wins the award anyway. Lee was the most valuable guy by VORP in 2005, but Pujols won anyway, since the Cubs missed the playoffs (and I think he was considered “due” after Bonds’ four straight). Of course, Lee only led Pujols in VORP by 7.4, while this year Pujols leads Ramirez by 41.6; even Pujols missing the playoffs might not be enough to overcome that.

Either way, that was an awesome moment last night.

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:02:02 +0000

You’re right, without Ramirez in the middle of the lineup, where’s the beef? By the way, the Cubs only had 85 wins last year, not 87.

By: Weebs

Weebs — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:37:32 +0000

The reason Aramis never gets noticed is because he doesn’t have that season that screams “MVP.” I mean that in terms of numbers, not value to this team. But when he’s not hitting 45 HRs and driving in 140 runners, he’s consistently averaging 31 HRs and 108 RBI throughout his career. In Late & Close games, he’s got 39 HRs and 140 RBI. In tie games, he’s got 58 HR and 211 RBI. Shockingly, even Joe Morgan has noted how he’s one of the rare “sluggers” in the game who is just a damn good hitter. Now you factor in that the one part of his game that could be considered a weakness, his career .341 OBP, is now sitting pretty at .383 and you’ve got quite possibly the best hitter in the NL. He’s not the best hitter in the league, but he’s sure as shit just a notch below. You want to talk about who’s most valuable to their team, do the right thing this year (nobody deserved it more last year than Holliday) and hand that hardware to Aramis. Let’s just hope he pads those stats in September so there doesn’t have to be a debate.

By: Ron Santo

Ron Santo — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:30:32 +0000

How about that! Alcopoco Taco pies for everyone!!!!

By: Poon

Poon — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:05:27 +0000

Ok, I swear every year on my birthday, this day, it seems like a come back win. At least in recent history. That swing, that jump on the ball, that set up. BONERTIME.

By: cherigrace

cherigrace — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:39:35 +0000

I think Aramis has always been underrated; mostly because he doesn’t seem to have much of a well-defined personality. He’s just the quiet guy nobody notices. But you’re right- he IS the little engine that could that drives this bad fucking ride. Sweet.

By: damon berryhill

damon berryhill — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:16:28 +0000

Aramis Ramirez (or Montoya)… MVP. Coincedentally, I started this chant in the middle of a Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown Milwaukee tonight after that grand slam. I may have been booed and threatened by many bikers (harley davidson 105th downtown right now…), that HR was one of the most gorgeous things ive seen… i may have shed a few tears…

Nice to see the cubs just doing what they’ve been doing lately.