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My 2012 BBA Voting Ballot

As a member of the internet’s premiere group of baseball fanatics, enthusiasts, and shut-ins, The Baseball Bloggers Alliance, I’m required by law to publish my voting ballot. Not only does this keep everything on the up-and-up, stopping me from casting votes for Eric Sogard, Tim Wakefield, and Superboy, it’s a great way to foster conversation and begin arguments with former friends. 

Here are my votes: 

Connie Mack Award (Best Manager): 

American League: 

  1. Buck Showalter
  2. Bob Melvin
  3. Joe Maddon

National League: 

  1. Davey Johnson
  2. Dusty Baker
  3. Bruce Bochy

I really hate this award. How does one actually note the difference a manager makes? You can focus on pitching changes and sacrifice bunts, but then again, we don’t know when a bullpen arm is tired unless someone tells us. At the same time, look at last year’s winner, Kirk Gibson, did his team go 81-81 because he forgot to manage? Or because the players didn’t perform? 

Usually you just give this award to the guy who helmed a surprising team or posted an insane record. In the National League, I wouldn’t be shocked if it went to any of my three selections. However, because of some comments players have made and his acumen (or luck) when going to the bullpen, Buck Showalter seems to actually deserve the award in the American League. So I guess you can ignore everything I just wrote. 

Willie Mays Award (Top Rookie): 

American League: 

  1. Mike Trout
  2. Yu Darvish
  3. Yoenis Cespedes

National League: 

  1. Wade Miley
  2. Bryce Harper
  3. Todd Frazier

Is there even a conversation that needs to be had over the American League winner? Though we do need to discuss the outrageous amount of rookie talent located in the AL West this season.

In the National League, it was a little tighter. While Bryce Harper is the sexier name, his second half struggles dragged his numbers down just enough to give Wade Miley and his 16-11, 3.33 ERA in nearly 200 innings the edge. If the Rookie of the Year award was given to who would have the best career, it’s not a contest. However, that’s not the case. 

Goose Gossage Award (Top Reliever) 

American League: 

  1. Fernando Rodney
  2. Kelvin Herrera
  3. Jim Johnson
National League: 
  1. Craig Kimbrel
  2. Aroldis Chapman
  3. David Hernandez
It was a banner year for relievers this year. Fernando Rodney set the record for lowest ERA by a reliver (0.60) while Craig Kimbrel struck out more than half the batters he faced while posting a 1.01 ERA. Aroldis Chapman wasn’t a slouch either, striking out 15.32 men per 9 innings and working 71.2 innings, a career high. 

Walter Johnson Award (Top Pitcher):

American League: 

  1. Justin Verlander
  2. David Price
  3. Chris Sale
  4. Felix Hernandez
  5. CC Sabathia
National League: 
  1. RA Dickey
  2. Gio Gonzalez
  3. Clayton Kershaw
  4. Craig Kimbrel
  5. Johnny Cueto
As for the American League, one can’t argue with Justin Verlander. While he may not win the BBWAA vote, mostly because he was just so good last year that some may think he took a step back, but he still lead the league in innings, strikeouts, and ERA+. He’s good at this baseball thing. 
In the National League, I’m probably showing my knuckleball-loving bias here, but I’m fine with it. Dickey went 20-6, striking out nearly a batter per innings and walking only 2 per 9 while throwing the weirdest pitch the world will ever know. Gio Gonzalez and the rest of the field were good, but not Dickey good. Can you imagine how great it will be to say a knuckleballer won the Cy Young? Or is that like an indie band being in a car commercial? 
Stan Musial Award (Most Valuable Player): 
American League: 
  1. Mike Trout
  2. Miguel Cabrera
  3. Adrian Beltre
  4. Robinson Cano
  5. Justin Verlander
  6. Joe Mauer
  7. Ben Zobrist
  8. Josh Reddick
  9. David Price
  10. Adam Jones

National League: 

  1. Buster Posey
  2. Ryan Braun
  3. Andrew McCutchen
  4. Yadier Molina
  5. David Wright
  6. RA Dickey
  7. Ian Desmond
  8. Aramis Ramirez
  9. Aaron Hill
  10. Jason Heyward
The American League vote will be debated for a long time and while Cabrera’s late season push and triple crown victory gave him an emotional boost, I couldn’t just ignore Trout’s amazing defense and baserunning abilities.
In the National League, Buster Posey ran away with the award during an amazing second half. While I don’t include postseason chances in my decision making, it certainly won’t hurt his chances when it comes to the BBWAA awards. And what happened to Yadier Molina? He’s become not only the best defensive catcher in baseball, but one of the best hitting ones as well, hitting over .300 with 36 home runs over the last two seasons. 
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  2. travisequalsmusic said: If Mike Trout wins the MVP, I will probably beat some poor kid on the street….
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