American League MVP award debate continues

The American League MVP race is a two-horse race between the Yankees’ Aaron Judge and the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani. Depending on who you ask, the award might go to both particular person. However, the adamancy of Ohtani followers is much better than that of the followers backing Judge.

While the consensus amongst Judge backers appears to be “Sure, Ohtani can hit and pitch, but I believe Judge should win the MVP,” the Ohtani protection appears to lie extra alongside the strains of “If you don’t vote for Ohtani, you should be banned from having an opinion on baseball forever” or “If he was the unanimous MVP last season, any season even close to 2021 should result in an MVP for Ohtani as well.” Obviously, these are hyperboles, however neither is just too far off from actuality. Like, geez of us, relax.

Personally, I’ve Ohtani above Judge in my MVP rankings, not that that issues in any respect, nevertheless it simply goes to point out that I’m not attempting to be a novel snowflake or play satan’s advocate. The reality of the matter is that each Judge and Ohtani are having insane, historic seasons and each must be given MVP recognition. However, denying one among these gamers’ greatness solely makes your aspect of the aisle look insecure. Refusing to offer anybody with an opposing viewpoint the sunshine of day and claiming that they only “don’t know baseball,” can solely hurt your candidate’s MVP case.

We know that the BBWAA could be very biased. Different reporters from totally different areas of the nation are typically extra lenient to their very own gamers and their award candidacies. However, different components can play a job as properly: Rivalries, public notion, public outcry, and private biases. For me, I really like plate self-discipline. I’ve additionally at all times hated Bryce Harper (don’t ask why). Hence, had I had a vote in final 12 months’s National League MVP race, I’d’ve put Juan Soto in first place.

In essence, the general public’s attachment to Shohei Ohtani is well-deserved. He’s the very best baseball participant on the planet in my eyes and he’s doing issues no one alive has ever seen. However, dismissing Judge totally will solely push the folks which might be on the fence about him. It’s like all argument. It’s human nature to aspect with the argument that appears extra rational, and the narrative of “if you don’t believe this, you shouldn’t be allowed to have an opinion” just isn’t solely harsh, however unfair, and can push folks nonetheless attempting to resolve towards your opposition purely out of spite.

I perceive that different components could also be at play too. Old college voters love crew success. Seeing as how the Angels have already been eradicated from playoff competition, that may most likely harm Ohtani’s possibilities immensely. The incontrovertible fact that Judge performs on the Yankees may even be an element. He’s placing collectively one of many biggest offensive seasons ever (he’s stable defensively and on the basepaths, too) within the greatest market in America. He’s middle stage for your entire nation to see mainly each evening and has numerous drama surrounding him concerning his upcoming free company. That makes him marketable. That makes him eye-popping and intriguing. He additionally has by no means gained an MVP earlier than, and voters are inclined to draw back from individuals who’ve already amassed unimaginable success and award recognition as Ohtani has.

Essentially, as one-sided as it might appear to some folks, the voting might be shut, actually shut. As an Ohtani backer myself, I implore anybody who needs to dismiss Judge’s 60 house runs to rethink for Ohtani’s sake. Blame Yankee Stadium for its dimensions all you need, however Judge is having a historic season. Recognize that, and if the voters do wind up selecting Judge, stroll away with grace. Ohtani’s skillset will make him an MVP candidate yearly. Judge is not going to hit 60 house runs each season, particularly if he leaves the Yankees this offseason. He’ll be again, and he’ll doubtless earn a number of extra MVP awards by the tip of his profession.