Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers) wins Triple Crown!!

[TitoFan]

I know, I know..... many on the forum couldn't care less about baseball. But a great accomplishment took place tonight. Miguel Cabrera, 3rd baseman for the Detroit Tigers, just won Major League Baseball's Triple Crown... an achievement that hadn't occurred in the Major Leagues since Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox did it in 1967.

He did it by batting .330, with 44 home runs and 139 runs batted in. Miguel is from Venezuela... so I know they're having a huge celebration in Venezuela right now. This is a huge achievement... as he's only the 10th major leaguer in history to win it.

Congratulations to Miguel on this incredible feat.... and I'm sure he'll win this year's MVP award in the American League as well.

[VictorCharlie]

I know it is a big deal but yeah I just have a hard time caring about baseball. I

[El Kabong]

An awesome feat....makes you really look back at how fucking awesome Yaz was. One of the legendary Left Fielders the Red Sox have had: Ted Williams, Carl Yastremzski, Jim Rice, and Manny Ramirez before he went crazy.

[TitoFan]

An awesome feat....makes you really look back at how fucking awesome Yaz was. One of the legendary Left Fielders the Red Sox have had: Ted Williams, Carl Yastremzski, Jim Rice, and Manny Ramirez before he went crazy.

Very true. Here's one question that is sure to spark some debate..... (matter of fact, they're polling it on SportsCenter):

Who should get the MVP... Cabrera? or Trout?

If you ask me, it shouldn't even be debatable. It's Cabrera hands down. Batting crown? Check. Home run title? Check. RBI title? Same. Plays for a playoff team? Another check.

[greynotsoold]

It seems to me, with what little I know about baseball, that winning the Triple Crown would guarantee winning the MVP. But last week in Sports Illustrated, they argued that Trout was still the obvious choice because batting average, RBIs and home runs are three of the 'least relevant' statistics.

[TitoFan]

It seems to me, with what little I know about baseball, that winning the Triple Crown would guarantee winning the MVP. But last week in Sports Illustrated, they argued that Trout was still the obvious choice because batting average, RBIs and home runs are three of the 'least relevant' statistics.

That's what it would seem to me also, grey. I'm shocked, but not at all surprised that SI would be pushing the case for Trout. I hope I'm wrong.... but if the positions were reversed..... and it was Trout winning the Triple Crown and being with the Tigers... and Cabrera with Trout's statistics and team....... I'd bet there'd be no argument. SI would back Trout hands down. Reeks a little of ethnic bias to me.

As for SI saying those stats are the "least relevant".... that would be a huge shock to me also, as it goes against traditional baseball wisdom.

[Kirkland Laing]

First guy to do it for nearly half a century, and there have been some not bad players over the last half century that didn't do it. An achievement worthy of the word "awesome."

[El Kabong]

It seems to me, with what little I know about baseball, that winning the Triple Crown would guarantee winning the MVP. But last week in Sports Illustrated, they argued that Trout was still the obvious choice because batting average, RBIs and home runs are three of the 'least relevant' statistics.

That's what it would seem to me also, grey. I'm shocked, but not at all surprised that SI would be pushing the case for Trout. I hope I'm wrong.... but if the positions were reversed..... and it was Trout winning the Triple Crown and being with the Tigers... and Cabrera with Trout's statistics and team....... I'd bet there'd be no argument. SI would back Trout hands down. Reeks a little of ethnic bias to me.

As for SI saying those stats are the "least relevant".... that would be a huge shock to me also, as it goes against traditional baseball wisdom.

I think they might say that now because the "important numbers" are all the new fangled ones On Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage, etc.

Miggy is a hell of a hitter, but he's a tad self destructive as well at least in the past he has been.

[TitoFan]

It seems to me, with what little I know about baseball, that winning the Triple Crown would guarantee winning the MVP. But last week in Sports Illustrated, they argued that Trout was still the obvious choice because batting average, RBIs and home runs are three of the 'least relevant' statistics.

That's what it would seem to me also, grey. I'm shocked, but not at all surprised that SI would be pushing the case for Trout. I hope I'm wrong.... but if the positions were reversed..... and it was Trout winning the Triple Crown and being with the Tigers... and Cabrera with Trout's statistics and team....... I'd bet there'd be no argument. SI would back Trout hands down. Reeks a little of ethnic bias to me.

As for SI saying those stats are the "least relevant".... that would be a huge shock to me also, as it goes against traditional baseball wisdom.

I think they might say that now because the "important numbers" are all the new fangled ones On Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage, etc.

Miggy is a hell of a hitter, but he's a tad self destructive as well at least in the past he has been.

Even with that, Cabrera finished with an OBP of .393, just below Trout's .399. But beat him handily in Slugging Pct (.606 to .564). Even in this strange OPS statistic (OBP plus Slugging Percentage), Miguel outdistances Trout by .999 to .963.

SI can say whatever they want.... but any way you look at it, if Cabrera doesn't get the MVP, it's a robbery..... IMO.

[Kirkland Laing]

The MVP award pales into insignificance compared to the Triple Crown. In fifty years nobody is going to remember who the 2012 MVP was.

[TitoFan]

The MVP award pales into insignificance compared to the Triple Crown. In fifty years nobody is going to remember who the 2012 MVP was.

Very true. But in principle, it would be wrong and a slap in the face to Miguel Cabrera if Trout is voted MVP.
But again..... very true.

[VictorCharlie]

I don't think there is any ethnic bias. SI is notorious for making wild and controversial picks. Their pre-season predictions for every sport are always full of head scratchers. I'm pretty sure the lead MLB writer said "I want to pick Cabrera but that's what everyone expects so obviously it is Trout."