Unabated Sports

We're going to start a little segment here where we spotlight emails or blog comments from our listeners. We got an email from a Mike in Fairfield (there's apparently more than one. Maybe we'll start calling the other one "Moe" or something.) that addresses something that's been burning up ESPN radio for about a month now.

I want to know your take on whos going to win the AL MVP A-Rod or Ortiz. And how much does the DH have to do with who is the winner??

Well, Mike, I can't speak for Jeff, Martin, Ciji, or Bill, but here's my take: Of those two choices, Alex Rodriguez will win the AL MVP. From what I've heard from various baseball writers, the designated hitter tag will have a lot to do with the winner. A lot of the voters remember a time before the DH was added to the American League in 1973 and are likely pretty bitter about it. There's definitely a bias against the designated hitter.

Do I think that's right? Not really. The DH has been around longer than I have so, for me, it's as much a part of baseball as anything else. I understand the argument that Ortiz and others in his position only play half the game. All things being equal, go with the guy who at least goes out in the field. But when you look at the clutch hitting and late-inning heroics, no one else comes close. I think that should give the edge to Big Papi. After all, it didn't stop him from being the 2004 ALCS MVP, so why should it prevent him from winning the regular season award?

Thanks for the question, Mike from Fairfield. Maybe we'll even bat it around on our show Thursday night.

You can hear more from our callers in the September Snippets.