Let me know what you think of my American League awards at danpatrickshow@espn.com.
MVP: Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox
What he has meant to that ball club is the definition of MVP. He has rebounded from two down years. He didn't make the All-Star team but had tremendous numbers. He changed his batting stance and his whole attitude. He seems to be over whatever personal problems were bothering him the last few years. He seems to have grown up a little bit and realized two things: he could be a Hall of Famer if he regained the form of his first five seasons and that winning a championship ring is very important. He fits in nicely in that clubhouse which is now just the Chicago White Sox clubhouse, not Frank Thomas' Chicago White Sox clubhouse. He can lead by example instead of by being the focal point.
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| Frank Thomas is brushed back by an inside pitch thrown by Kansas City Royals' Jeff Suppan. |
Comeback Player of the Year: Frank Thomas
I was going to mention this later but while I'm thinking about it, it has to be Frank.
Cy Young: David Wells, Toronto Blue Jays
Boomer didn't start the All-Star game by accident. He had an awesome first half with 15 wins, 100 Ks and only 18 walks. Like Frank Thomas, he goes out there and leads by example. He is a complete pro, has won consistently in the big leagues and has a couple of rings. He kids around a lot and is not exactly a fitness buff but ask American League hitters if he's kidding around when he's pitching. Wells is a great anchor for that young, promising staff in Toronto. GM Gord Ash has admitted that they didn't quite know what to do with Wells during his first stint in Toronto. Well, it's clear they do now.
Rookie of The Year: Bengie Molina, Anaheim Angels
Molina plays a key position well and also delivered on offense. A lot of catchers would take 11 home runs, 42 RBI and a .307 batting average for the first half. Add in that fact that he has thrown out about 40 percent of base stealers and Molina has done about all you can ask of a first year catcher.
Manager: Jerry Manuel, Chicago White Sox
From getting Frank Thomas back in gear, starting back in spring training, to keeping the team together during and after their brawl with the Tigers, Jerry Manuel has done an outstanding job. He has been a calming influence on a team that has had a lot of turmoil over the last few years. I was there in the mid-'90s during the Gene Lamont and Terry Bevington years so I know what they had to overcome. Manuel has been the perfect guy for that job.
