FanNation - The Republic of Sport

     I am a big follower of who is gonna win what awards at the end of the season and their is no better sport for that than americas pasttime. Thats right Im talking some baseball the sport which has two MVPs as well as two awards that 9 people recieve each year. Well this year there are some interesting battles for many awards including the big ones aka MVP and cy young. This will be my first awards blog and will cover both leauges MVP races

AL MVP- All i hear about is Josh Hamiliton and Ian Kinsler but how can you be the most VALUABLE player in baseball if your team is playing 500 ball and 10.5 games out of their division.

Plus both of their stats are greatky boosted by their home park with their road stats both are not good. Kinsler road OBP is .50 points lower than his home batting average. Hamiliton on the ohter hand has hit almost .100 points lower away from texas while hitting 6 less HR in 50 more ABs

All that being said my choice for AL mVp is Carlos Quentin of the Chicago White Sox. He might not have the best average in the world but .279 is good enough when you have 26 HR and 79 RBI. Its not just stats but aslo the fact that he has been the offensive presence all year for the ChiSox and has greatly helped them go an unexpected 57-43 so far and in first in tehir division. If it wasnt for Quentin it hard to believe that the White Sox would be in first place in the Central.

 Runner up would be J.D Drew- He gets on base .407 of the time and has hit 18 HR with 57 RBI while making sure the BoSox didnt bluder when Ortiz went out. His june was remarkable and if not for him the season may have been lost.

Honorable Mention goes to A-Ro even though I hate him the Yanks thrive when he plays so he is pretty valuable.

NL MVP-This one has many great hitters that all have legitimate cases for the award.

Theres Chipper Jones who along with fliring with .400 has hit 18 HR and 55 RBI which is pretty good.

Then theres Utley who could be the third straight Phillie to win the Award following Hoard and Rollins. His Hr numbers were pheonomenl earlier this year but he has slowed down.

Berkman has a wicked good average with good power and lots of run production. His case is hurt by his team being in last in the NL Central so how valuable is he.

Hanley Ramirez- A great talent who I would love the Red Sox to get back but his extension earlier this year makes it so it aint gonna happen probally. Anyways he has chance to be a 40-40  player this year while hitting .300

As for my pick its the often overlooked Albert Pujols.- He and A-Rod go 1-2 as the best players since 2001 wihtout roids. This year he has missed some time with injuries but still has hit 18 HR with 55 RBI with a .352 batting average. His presence in that lineup helps average players look good by getting easier pitches to see. He is the most valauable player in the NL to me.

Runner up- Hanley Ramirez. The guy has the chance to join the 40 Hr 40 SB club while hitting above .300 and knocking in runs. He does all that without much hitting help on his team and in a pitchers park. Also he has led the Marlins a team that was suppoed to finish near last to contetnion for the playofss. GO former Red Sox prospects

Honorable Mention- Berkmans shot at the triple crown is enough for me to overlook his teams record and look at his stats.

There you go thats what I think about the MVP races right now and my Cy young one will be up soon. Got any opions voice than with a comment please.