The consensus outside of Yankee Stadium is that David Ortiz will win the AL’s Most Valuable Player award.
How many more times do voters need to see Ortiz win a game with a bat that propelled a league-leading 41 homers and driven in a leaguehigh 110 runs going into last night’s action?
And what about Manny Ramirez?
He is certainly having an MVP-type season.
Yet, those “MVP, MVP, MVP” chants directed at Derek Jeter from the Yankee Stadium crowd Monday night have merit inside the Yankees’ universe.
“He has gotten a lot of big hits and put up good numbers,” Johnny Damon said. “If we don’t have them it’s easy to take away 10 [wins].” While Ramirez (32 HRs and 93 RBIs) and Ortiz are far ahead of Jeter in the power numbers, the Yankees shortstop is second in the league with a .344 average, fourth in hits with 152, fourth in on-base percentage at .421 and fourth with a .380 average with runners in scoring position.
So what’s Jeter’s reaction to the chants?
“I was thinking the score was tied, 2-2, and we needed to get a run,” Jeter said of the crowd dropping the MVP chant on him in the seventh inning of Monday night’s 72 victory over the Angels he helped build with a bunt single.
And what does Jeter think about his chances of winning the MVP?
“I am thinking about winning games, that’s it,” Jeter said before facing the Orioles and lefty Erik Bedard. “That’s all I am concerned about.” Mariano Rivera has been with Jeter every step of the way and insists this is Jeter’s best season.
“Derek is having a tremendous year and he has been good all these years, but this year is better than the rest,” Rivera said. “He has a chance [at the MVP]. A number of guys have great numbers and we will see at the end. He has a good chance if he keeps doing it.” According to Joe Torre, the winner will be determined by the team the player is with.
“A lot depends on what team wins,” Torre said. “That should carry the weight.” Torre agrees with Rivera when it comes to this being the best of Jeter’s 11 seasons in the big leagues.
“He doesn’t have as many homers as a time or two,” Torre said. “But his production numbers are as good now as they have ever been, if not better. The consistency of what he has been able to do so far has been very impressive.” A year ago, Alex Rodriguez finished ahead of Ortiz because some voters believed A-Rod playing third made him more valuable to the Yankees than Ortiz, a DH, was to the Red Sox.
That argument will surface again.
And since Ortiz is batting .284, that will be brought up. Torre, for one, believes other areas besides offense are often neglected.
“When you are talking about him, it’s what he brings to the table,” Torre said. “It’s tough to describe a lot of the stuff he does. It may not be recognized during a game, making a play or a tough at-bat with a man on base. Just the fact that he has so many ways to help a team win.”
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In the running
Despite his lack of power numbers, Derek Jeter has put together an impressive offensive season. Here’s a look at how some of his numbers to compare to Red Sox MVP candidates David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez:
DEREK JETER – Shortstop, Yankees
10 HR, 70 RBI, .344 BA, .421 OBP
DAVID ORTIZ – Designated hitter, Red Sox
41 HR, 110 RBI, .284 BA, .396 OBP
MANNY RAMIREZ – Left fielder, Red Sox
32 HR, 93 RBI, .323 BA, .435 OBP