Post by Sha-Le Unique on Dec 8, 2015 17:35:40 GMT -5
With the 1967 regular season ending, it's a good time to analyze what to expect for the annual season ending awards in each league. Sometimes, OOTP will make the right calls, but at other times, the results haven't always made the most sense. Being that this league does not have its own MVP, Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year polls among the GM's, we have to hope that OOTP itself makes the best decisions possible.
Regardless of whatever OOTP may end up thinking, let's take a look at the top NL MVP, Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year Award, Fireman of the Year and Manager of the Year contenders and see who the likely favorites will be.
NL MVP
Top Contenders: Hank Aaron (ATL), Frank Robinson (PIT), Jim Gentile (LA)
The NL MVP Award this season is really a 2-man race. On one side, there is the 4-time NL MVP Hank Aaron, who led the NL with a .347 average, a .688 slugging percentage, a 1.112 OPS, 205 hits, 57 doubles, 137 RBI, 135 runs, 108 extra-base hits and 406 total bases. He was also 2nd in OBP at a .424 clip, 2nd in home runs with 42 and 6th in walks with 82.
On the other side is Frank Robinson, who never been an MVP in the past. Robinson led the NL in OBP at .434 and finished 2nd in slugging percentage, OPS, hits, home runs, runs, extra base hits and total bases. Robinson of course led the Pirates to yet another NL East title and an NL-best 109 wins.
On the outside looking in is Jim Gentile, who finished 3rd in slugging percentage, 3rd in OPS, 1st in home runs and 2nd in RBI.
Despite the effort that Robinson made, it looks like Aaron will be winning NL MVP Award #5 in his spectacular career. He led the NL in 9 different categories, for crying out loud.
Predicted Winner: Hank Aaron
NL Cy Young Award
Top Contenders: Don Drysdale (PIT), Sandy Koufax (LA)
The NL Cy Young Award is another 2-man race this season. Don Drysdale already has 2 NL Cy Young Awards under his belt from 1961 and 1965. This season, he led the NL with 28 wins, a 1.57 ERA, 35 quality starts, 11 shutouts and 11.15 strikeouts/9 innings. He was also 2nd in strikeouts with a career best 404, 3rd in innings pitched, tied for 4th in complete games, and allowed just 6 home runs all season.
The only guy that could give Drysdale a run for his money is Sandy Koufax. Koufax finished his season 3rd in wins, 2nd in ERA, 1st in strikeouts with a career high 413, tied for 2nd in quality starts, 1st in innings pitched with 335.0, 2nd in complete games and 2nd in shutouts.
Despite Koufax leading in strikeouts and having one of his best seasons yet, Drysdale should get his 3rd Cy Young Award this season.
Predicted Winner: Don Drysdale
NL Rookie of the Year
Top Contenders: Tom Seaver (NYM), Joe Foy (NYM), Reggie Smith (CIN), Brant Alyea (PHI)
This NL rookie class is certainly stronger than its AL counterpart, but similarly to the AL, there is one pitcher that stands apart from a group of hitters.
Tom Seaver became the 1st ever Mets pitcher to make an All-Star team this season and led the Mets with 18 wins and a 3.24 ERA. He also finished 9th in innings pitched with 294.1, had 14 complete games and racked up 205 strikeouts.
As for Seaver's competition, one of them is his own teammate, second baseman Joe Foy. Foy's season was decent at best and is only highlighted by his 69 stolen bases, which tied for 2nd in the NL with teammate and double play partner Steve Boros. Reggie Smith had a decent season of his own. He hit .270 with 33 doubles, 14 home runs, 69 RBI and 28 stolen bases. But nothing particularly stood out for him, unlike Foy. As for Brant Alyea, he led all NL rookies with 19 home runs and 88 RBI, but his .210 average and .259 OBP will certainly hurt any legitimate chance he may have had.
Foy, Smith and Alyea all had decent seasons of their own, but because Seaver's is the most complete and well-rounded, he should become the 2nd Mets pitcher in 3 seasons to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Predicted Winner: Tom Seaver
NL Fireman of the Year
Top Contenders: Fred Gladding (STL), Jack Aker (NYM), Glenn Cox (LA), Sparky Lyle (ATL), Sam McDowell (SF), Ken McBride (PIT)
Fred Gladding has won 2 of the last 2 NL Fireman of the Year awards and could be on his way to getting his 3rd after leading the NL with 43 saves this season. He also had a 2.15 ERA and a 91.5% success rate.
One guy that could give him a challenge is Jack Aker. who finished in 2nd with 37 saves and had a 2.87 ERA and an 82.2% success rate. The other closers listed here all had solid seasons of their own, but higher ERA's and lower save success percentages.
All in all, it looks like Gladding will take home his 3rd NL Fireman of the Year Award this season.
Predicted Winner: Fred Gladding
NL Manager of the Year
Top Contenders: Dave R. (PIT), Jeremy (LA), Darryl (ATL), Spencer (SF)
Dave R. has won the last 3 NL Manager of the Year awards and could certainly with his 4th in a row, being that his Pirates led the NL with 109 wins and featured the best pitching staff in all of HOFFBL, plus one of the best lineups around. He even made more moves to add other pieces like Don Rowe and Floyd Robinson.
But out west, there is more competition. Sure, Jeremy won his 11th NL West title in a row, but it took him a 1-game tiebreaker to keep the streak alive. Darryl's Braves came closer than ever to winning their 1st NL West title, but unfortunately for them, they ended up losing in that tiebreaker game. But could Darryl still get votes for coming closer than ever to winning a division? We'll have to see. As for Spencer, his Giants improved their win total by 7 games and had a solid offense. He's not too likely to win, but should at least get noticed.
In the end, it will be a debate between the 2 NL postseason participants. And depending on whether you look at regular season success and making big moves (Pirates), or pay more attention to winning a very close division race (Dodgers), this one could go either way. But being that Stool has won the last 3 awards and finished the season with a 9 game lead, his streak will come to an end this time as Jeremy gets his 4th NL Manager of the Year Award. But again, this one really could go either way.
Predicted Winner: Jeremy
Best of luck to all contenders!
