There was little question that Detroit's Justin Verlander would unanimously win the American League Cy Young Award. Now, the far more intriguing question: Will he take the Most Valuable Player trophy, too?
"Do I think it's possible? Yes. Would I like to win it? Of course," he said during a conference call. "It's kind of a weird scenario."No starting pitcher has been MVP since Roger Clemens in 1986, and Dennis Eckersley was the last reliever, in 1992. Many say pitchers shouldn't be MVP, contending that they already have their own award.
But Verlander's season — he won the pitching version of the Triple Crown, led Detroit to its first division crown in 24 years and drew every first-place vote Tuesday in the Cy Young race — has ratcheted up the debate in a crowded MVP field that includes Curtis Granderson, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Bautista, Miguel Cabrera and more.
"Pitchers are on the ballot," Verlander pointed out. Bolstering the case for all pitchers, he noted the "tremendous effect we have on the day of our game."Verlander led the majors in wins by going 24-5 and topped baseball with 250 strikeouts. His 2.40 ERA was the best among AL pitchers who qualified for the title. The 28-year-old right-hander was listed on top on all 28 ballots by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and finished with 196 points.
Jered Weaver (18-8, 2.41) of the Los Angeles Angels was the only other pitcher listed on every ballot and placed second with 97 points. James Shields of Tampa Bay was third with 66, followed by CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees with 63. Tigers reliever Jose Valverde, who was perfect in 49 save chances, was fifth with 28.
Verlander pitched a no-hitter on May 7 at Toronto, missing a perfect game because of an eighth-inning walk on a full-count delivery.
In his next start, he held Kansas City hitless for 52/3 innings. Later in the season, Verlander took two no-hit bids into the eighth inning. He also led the majors with 251 innings and issued a career-low 57 walks. He pitched four complete games, including two shutouts.