11/14/2005 4:30 PM ET
A-Rod named American League MVP
Yankees third baseman edges Boston's David Ortiz for honor
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
Alex Rodriguez's American League MVP Award is the 19th in Yankees history and the first since Don Mattingly won the award in 1985. (Bill Kostroun/AP)
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NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez may not yet have any World Series rings to show for his remarkable career, but the Yankees' third baseman picked up his second American League Most Valuable Player Award on Monday.
Rodriguez beat out David Ortiz, Boston's larger-than-life designated hitter, who finished a close second in the voting. Rodriguez earned 16 first-place votes and 331 points, while Ortiz received 11 first-place votes and 307 points.
"David Ortiz is a great player, and I have a great privilege not only to compete against David, but against a great organization like the Red Sox," Rodriguez said. "I'd certainly trade his World Series championship for this MVP trophy."
Los Angeles' Vladimir Guerrero received the other first-place vote, finishing third. Boston's Manny Ramirez and Cleveland's Travis Hafner rounded out the top five.
Rodriguez got 11 second-place votes and one third, while Ortiz was listed second on 17 ballots.
"I'm very happy for Alex," said Yankees manager Joe Torre. "This is a very proud moment for him. I'm very pleased with the year he had. He's getting more comfortable here in New York. Alex helped us win so many games, both offensively and defensively, and he continues to improve."
"This is an A-Rod day in New York," said George Steinbrenner. "I am very proud of Alex Rodriguez, and I am delighted for him and his family. A-Rod demonstrates the talent, hard work, and dedication of a true winner. On behalf of our devoted New York Yankee fans, I look forward to great things for many years from A-Rod as a Yankee."
A-Rod's numbers were hard to argue with: a .321 average, 130 RBIs and an AL-leading 48 home runs. Considering Ortiz's final stats (.300-47-148), a case could have been made for either candidate, but Rodriguez's stellar play at third base likely pushed him over the top, as Ortiz's status as a DH hurt him with some voters.
"Defense -- for the most part, being a balanced player and saving a lot of runs on the defensive side -- was a major factor," Rodriguez said. "I've been in a lot of these races and come in second and third place, so I thought David had as good a chance as I did."
Votes were cast before the postseason, which was good news for both A-Rod and Big Papi, who may have watched Chicago's Paul Konerko vault himself to the top in that scenario. Rodriguez went 2-for-15 in the Yankees' ALDS loss to the Angels, while Ortiz had just one RBI as the Red Sox were swept out of the playoffs by the White Sox in the opening round.
"I was tough on myself because I always expect to play very good baseball," said A-Rod, who referred to himself as a "dog" after New York's Game 5 loss in Anaheim. "My one regret is that I thought I could have walked 10 or 12 times, passed the baton and been a little more patient."
The fact that the Yankees overtook the Red Sox to win their eighth consecutive AL East title probably didn't hurt Rodriguez, either. In the clincher, which came on the penultimate day of the regular season, A-Rod went 4-for-5 with a home run in the Yankees' 8-4 victory at Fenway Park.
A-Rod ranked in the top five in the AL in homers (first), RBIs (fourth), batting average (second), runs (first), slugging percentage (first), OPS (first), on-base percentage (second) and walks (third). He even added 21 stolen bases, which was ninth best in the league.
Rodriguez's award is the 19th in Yankees history, the most of any franchise. He is the first Yankee to win the MVP Award since Don Mattingly captured it in 1985. Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle won three MVPs apiece, while Roger Maris won two. Other Yankees winners were Lou Gehrig, Joe Gordon, Spud Chandler, Phil Rizzuto, Elston Howard and Thurman Munson.
Rodriguez became the 24th multiple MVP winner and only the fourth to win at two positions and with two clubs. He was a shortstop with the Rangers when he was the AL MVP in 2003.
Rodriguez has also been the runner-up twice, in 2002 with Texas to Oakland's Miguel Tejada and in 1996 with Seattle to Texas' Juan Gonzalez.
Ortiz's supporters pointed to his numbers in "close and late" situations, which are defined by at-bats in the seventh inning or later with the team either ahead by one run, tied or with the potential tying run at least on deck.
In 78 such at-bats, Ortiz hit .346 (27-for-78) with 11 home runs, 33 RBIs and a .447 on-base percentage. But A-Rod posted respectable numbers in those situations, too, hitting .293 (22-for-75) with four home runs, 12 RBIs and a .418 on-base percentage.
Rodriguez, who took a lot of heat in 2004 for hitting just .248 with runners in scoring position -- including a .206 mark with RISP and two outs -- made up for it this season. With runners in scoring position, Rodriguez hit .290, including a .302 average with two outs.
But it was his defense at the hot corner -- which many believed was Gold Glove-worthy -- which pushed him past Ortiz for MVP honors.
"I think being on the field every day is a strong requirement, and doing it on both sides," Rodriguez said. "I think it's someone that goes out and helps the team day in and day out. How many runs is this guy saving a year?"
Rodriguez, who set an AL mark for most home runs by a third baseman, also set a new club standard for right-handed hitters with his 48 homers, breaking DiMaggio's 68-year-old mark of 47. DiMaggio's 1937 season had been the only one in which a right-handed hitter hit more than 40 home runs for the Bombers.
Of those 48 long balls, 26 of them came at Yankee Stadium, as A-Rod shattered the previous team mark of 19 home runs hit by a right-hander in the Bronx. The mark had been held by DiMaggio ('37) and Gary Sheffield (2004).
Rodriguez also became the youngest player in baseball history to reach 400 home runs, hitting his milestone shot on June 8 in Milwaukee. Rodriguez hit 409 homers before his 30th birthday, eclipsing the mark of his former teammate, Ken Griffey Jr., who hit 398 homers before turning 30.
"I can't wait to get back to Spring Training to work on my skills, continue to be a better player and reach my ultimate goal," Rodriguez said. "Winning the MVP is a great thing, but I'm here to do one thing, which is to win a championship."
2005 AL MVP Award
Voting results ¬
Player, Club 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Points
Alex Rodriguez, NYY 16 11 1 331
David Ortiz, BOS 11 17 307
Vladimir Guerrero, LAA 1 9 8 7 1 1 1 196
Manny Ramirez, BOS 9 1 6 2 6 2 1 156
Travis Hafner, CLE 5 6 4 4 3 3 2 151
Paul Konerko, CWS 2 4 6 5 1 3 5 128
Mark Teixeira, TEX 1 5 3 7 4 2 4 106
Gary Sheffield, NYY 3 2 6 2 2 3 1 84
Mariano Rivera, NYY 1 1 1 3 3 1 3 2 59
Derek Jeter, NYY 1 3 1 1 23
Michael Young, TEX 2 2 1 2 20
Scott Podsednik, CWS 1 1 1 1 15
Johnny Damon, BOS 1 1 2 1 12
Hideki Matsui, NYY 2 1 8
Richie ***son, SEA 2 1 7
Miguel Tejada, BAL 2 3 7
Chone Figgins, LAA 1 4 6
Victor Martinez, CLE 1 5
Jason Giambi, NYY 1 1 5
Brian Roberts, BAL 1 2 5
Jason Varitek, BOS 1 4
Eric Chavez, OAK 1 2 4
Huston Street, OAK 1 3
Bartolo Colon, LAA 1 1 3
Grady Sizemore, CLE 1 1 3
Bob Wickman, CLE 1 2
Jorge Cantu, TB 1 1
Jose Contreras, CWS 1 1
A-Rod named American League MVP
Yankees third baseman edges Boston's David Ortiz for honor
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
Alex Rodriguez's American League MVP Award is the 19th in Yankees history and the first since Don Mattingly won the award in 1985. (Bill Kostroun/AP)
Related Links
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez may not yet have any World Series rings to show for his remarkable career, but the Yankees' third baseman picked up his second American League Most Valuable Player Award on Monday.
Rodriguez beat out David Ortiz, Boston's larger-than-life designated hitter, who finished a close second in the voting. Rodriguez earned 16 first-place votes and 331 points, while Ortiz received 11 first-place votes and 307 points.
"David Ortiz is a great player, and I have a great privilege not only to compete against David, but against a great organization like the Red Sox," Rodriguez said. "I'd certainly trade his World Series championship for this MVP trophy."
Los Angeles' Vladimir Guerrero received the other first-place vote, finishing third. Boston's Manny Ramirez and Cleveland's Travis Hafner rounded out the top five.
Rodriguez got 11 second-place votes and one third, while Ortiz was listed second on 17 ballots.
"I'm very happy for Alex," said Yankees manager Joe Torre. "This is a very proud moment for him. I'm very pleased with the year he had. He's getting more comfortable here in New York. Alex helped us win so many games, both offensively and defensively, and he continues to improve."
"This is an A-Rod day in New York," said George Steinbrenner. "I am very proud of Alex Rodriguez, and I am delighted for him and his family. A-Rod demonstrates the talent, hard work, and dedication of a true winner. On behalf of our devoted New York Yankee fans, I look forward to great things for many years from A-Rod as a Yankee."
A-Rod's numbers were hard to argue with: a .321 average, 130 RBIs and an AL-leading 48 home runs. Considering Ortiz's final stats (.300-47-148), a case could have been made for either candidate, but Rodriguez's stellar play at third base likely pushed him over the top, as Ortiz's status as a DH hurt him with some voters.
"Defense -- for the most part, being a balanced player and saving a lot of runs on the defensive side -- was a major factor," Rodriguez said. "I've been in a lot of these races and come in second and third place, so I thought David had as good a chance as I did."
Votes were cast before the postseason, which was good news for both A-Rod and Big Papi, who may have watched Chicago's Paul Konerko vault himself to the top in that scenario. Rodriguez went 2-for-15 in the Yankees' ALDS loss to the Angels, while Ortiz had just one RBI as the Red Sox were swept out of the playoffs by the White Sox in the opening round.
"I was tough on myself because I always expect to play very good baseball," said A-Rod, who referred to himself as a "dog" after New York's Game 5 loss in Anaheim. "My one regret is that I thought I could have walked 10 or 12 times, passed the baton and been a little more patient."
The fact that the Yankees overtook the Red Sox to win their eighth consecutive AL East title probably didn't hurt Rodriguez, either. In the clincher, which came on the penultimate day of the regular season, A-Rod went 4-for-5 with a home run in the Yankees' 8-4 victory at Fenway Park.
A-Rod ranked in the top five in the AL in homers (first), RBIs (fourth), batting average (second), runs (first), slugging percentage (first), OPS (first), on-base percentage (second) and walks (third). He even added 21 stolen bases, which was ninth best in the league.
Rodriguez's award is the 19th in Yankees history, the most of any franchise. He is the first Yankee to win the MVP Award since Don Mattingly captured it in 1985. Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle won three MVPs apiece, while Roger Maris won two. Other Yankees winners were Lou Gehrig, Joe Gordon, Spud Chandler, Phil Rizzuto, Elston Howard and Thurman Munson.
Rodriguez became the 24th multiple MVP winner and only the fourth to win at two positions and with two clubs. He was a shortstop with the Rangers when he was the AL MVP in 2003.
Rodriguez has also been the runner-up twice, in 2002 with Texas to Oakland's Miguel Tejada and in 1996 with Seattle to Texas' Juan Gonzalez.
Ortiz's supporters pointed to his numbers in "close and late" situations, which are defined by at-bats in the seventh inning or later with the team either ahead by one run, tied or with the potential tying run at least on deck.
In 78 such at-bats, Ortiz hit .346 (27-for-78) with 11 home runs, 33 RBIs and a .447 on-base percentage. But A-Rod posted respectable numbers in those situations, too, hitting .293 (22-for-75) with four home runs, 12 RBIs and a .418 on-base percentage.
Rodriguez, who took a lot of heat in 2004 for hitting just .248 with runners in scoring position -- including a .206 mark with RISP and two outs -- made up for it this season. With runners in scoring position, Rodriguez hit .290, including a .302 average with two outs.
But it was his defense at the hot corner -- which many believed was Gold Glove-worthy -- which pushed him past Ortiz for MVP honors.
"I think being on the field every day is a strong requirement, and doing it on both sides," Rodriguez said. "I think it's someone that goes out and helps the team day in and day out. How many runs is this guy saving a year?"
Rodriguez, who set an AL mark for most home runs by a third baseman, also set a new club standard for right-handed hitters with his 48 homers, breaking DiMaggio's 68-year-old mark of 47. DiMaggio's 1937 season had been the only one in which a right-handed hitter hit more than 40 home runs for the Bombers.
Of those 48 long balls, 26 of them came at Yankee Stadium, as A-Rod shattered the previous team mark of 19 home runs hit by a right-hander in the Bronx. The mark had been held by DiMaggio ('37) and Gary Sheffield (2004).
Rodriguez also became the youngest player in baseball history to reach 400 home runs, hitting his milestone shot on June 8 in Milwaukee. Rodriguez hit 409 homers before his 30th birthday, eclipsing the mark of his former teammate, Ken Griffey Jr., who hit 398 homers before turning 30.
"I can't wait to get back to Spring Training to work on my skills, continue to be a better player and reach my ultimate goal," Rodriguez said. "Winning the MVP is a great thing, but I'm here to do one thing, which is to win a championship."
2005 AL MVP Award
Voting results ¬
Player, Club 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Points
Alex Rodriguez, NYY 16 11 1 331
David Ortiz, BOS 11 17 307
Vladimir Guerrero, LAA 1 9 8 7 1 1 1 196
Manny Ramirez, BOS 9 1 6 2 6 2 1 156
Travis Hafner, CLE 5 6 4 4 3 3 2 151
Paul Konerko, CWS 2 4 6 5 1 3 5 128
Mark Teixeira, TEX 1 5 3 7 4 2 4 106
Gary Sheffield, NYY 3 2 6 2 2 3 1 84
Mariano Rivera, NYY 1 1 1 3 3 1 3 2 59
Derek Jeter, NYY 1 3 1 1 23
Michael Young, TEX 2 2 1 2 20
Scott Podsednik, CWS 1 1 1 1 15
Johnny Damon, BOS 1 1 2 1 12
Hideki Matsui, NYY 2 1 8
Richie ***son, SEA 2 1 7
Miguel Tejada, BAL 2 3 7
Chone Figgins, LAA 1 4 6
Victor Martinez, CLE 1 5
Jason Giambi, NYY 1 1 5
Brian Roberts, BAL 1 2 5
Jason Varitek, BOS 1 4
Eric Chavez, OAK 1 2 4
Huston Street, OAK 1 3
Bartolo Colon, LAA 1 1 3
Grady Sizemore, CLE 1 1 3
Bob Wickman, CLE 1 2
Jorge Cantu, TB 1 1
Jose Contreras, CWS 1 1
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