Undoubtedly, whenever Jimmy Rollins steps into the batters’ box during the first two games of the NLDS, the packed house at Citizens Bank Park will scream, “M-V-P!” over and over again as if they have some odd social disease.
Likewise, when we go to Coors Field in Denver for the second pair of games (if necessary), the friendly fans will also shout, “M-V-P!” from the mountaintops whenever Matt Holliday comes to bat.
On one hand it’s kind of neat to hear so many people scream in unison, mostly because it’s not something that occurs in normal life. For instance, I’m sure you have never gone to the grocery store with a bunch of friends to gather in the produce section so that you can scream, “BROC-COLI!” until you begin to hyperventilate, turn blue and pass out on the floor at the feet of the cart checker. Frankly, it’s just odd behavior.
Plus, the folks at the Whole Foods don’t like it – trust me on that one.
But what makes those chants seem so odd instead of neat is that, essentially, the fans are screaming, “WE LIKE YOU!” at one person. Actually, they aren’t just walking up to a person they know to say, “You know, we’ve known each other for a long time and we’ve been really good friends throughout the years and because of that I just wanted to say… well, I like you.”
That’s it. One, “I like you.” It’s not shouted by the liker to the lickee with such an ardor that it seems angry or until someone has to get a restraining order or a taser. A simple, solitary, “I like you” goes a long way.
But there is nothing about sports fandom that is normal. We all know that. Compared to the soccer fans in Europe or the Broncos fans in Denver, Philadelphians are a relatively tame bunch. They also don’t have any trouble revealing their true feelings toward the Phillies’ shortstop either, which is nice. I think Jimmy thinks it’s nice, too, even though he says he tries to block out all sound when he goes to the plate.
You know, kind of like in that really bad Kevin Costner movie… wait, that didn’t narrow it down. I meant like that really bad Kevin Costner movie about baseball… that didn’t narrow down either, did it?
Anyway, I think you know which one I mean.
So what’s the point of all of this? It’s simple. I’m going to reveal which players I’d vote for in the Baseball Writers Association of America ballots for the post-season awards. Truth be told, I don’t actually vote because I’m not a practicing member of the BBWAA. Dogmatic organizations are such a turn off, though I have to admit I enjoy a good, ol’ secret society. And when it comes to secret societies, the BBWAA is right up there with the Skull & Bones, Masons, Elks and Stonecutters.
Here are the votes (without comment): MVP 1.) Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia 2.) Matt Holliday, Colorado 3.) Prince Fielder, Milwaukee 4.) Chipper Jones, Atlanta 5.) David Wright, New York 6.) Hanley Ramirez, Florida 7.) Aramis Ramirez, Chicago 8.) Chase Utley, Philadelphia 9.) Miguel Cabrera, Florida 10.) Todd Helton, Colorado
Manager of the Year 1.) Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia 2.) Clint Hurdle, Colorado 3.) Ned Yost, Milwaukee
Cy Young Award 1.) Jake Peavy, San Diego 2.) Brandon Webb, Arizona 3.) Carlos Zambrano, Chicago
Rookie of the Year 1.) Ryan Braun, Milwaukee 2.) Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado 3.) Kyle Kendrick, Philadelphia