In 2017, Russell Westbrook won the NBA MVP because he averaged a "triple-double" (10+ points, 10+ assists, 10+ rebounds), a feat not seen since Oscar Robertson's 1962 season. I heard one commentator (I've forgotten who it was) say something like, "When Russell has a triple-double next year but the novelty has worn off and he finishes seventh in MVP voting, how will the voters explain themselves?"
As it turns out, Westbrook again averaged a triple-double but finished fifth in MVP voting, even though the Thunder improved their win totals. He averaged triple-doubles in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons as well, finishing 10th and 11th in MVP voting respectively. It should be noted that his scoring average and Player Efficiency Rating (PER) declined with each successive triple-double season.
Even without the triple-double, Westbrook had a good case for MVP in 2017; he led the league in PER. But the triple-double shouldn’t have been the reason, no matter how "historic" that stat seemed to be.
The American League MVP race reminds me of the 2017 NBA race: Shohei Ohtani seems to be the favorite. Ohtani's season as a two-way player has been historic.
As a batter, he finished 3rd in home runs, 1st in triples, and 2nd in OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging).
As a pitcher, he had 23 starts, a record of 9-2, and a 3.18 earned run average (league average ERA is 4.32).
Considering that Ohtani’s only 27, if his prime lasts through his early 30's, he could have five more years of similar stats.
Ohtani's team, the Angels, won 75 games. What if he puts up similar numbers next year, and the Angels again win 75 games? Should he again be MVP?
What will happen in a year where he puts up similar numbers for a 105-win team? Will people at that point be tired of handing him the MVP?
Here's the way I see it. The Most Valuable Player should go to someone who helps his team win.The Angels won 75 games, which means the greatest possible number of wins Ohtani helped them win is 75.
In contrast,
Vladmir Guerrero Jr. had a hit or a walk in 81 of the Blue Jays' 91 victories.
Yordan Alvarez had a hit or a walk in 80 of the Astros' 95 victories.
Jose Abreu had a hit or a walk in 80 of the White Sox 93 victories.
I believe these are the leaders in helping their team win. I'd give the MVP to Guerrero. Ohtani will still have a distinction Guerrero will never have; as an All-Star as both a pitcher and a hitter.
Speaking of pitching, Ohtani's 9-2 record is certainly an impressive winning percentage. My choice for the Cy Young Award as the American League's best pitcher, however, goes to someone who ranks high in both innings pitched and WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched). On the American League side, that would go to Robbie Ray of the Blue Jays.
In the National League, using the same standards, my MVP is Brandon Crawford of the Giants and the Cy Young goes to Walker Buehler of the Dodgers.
I would love for Shohei Ohtani to win the MVP in a year in which his team is successful. But not just because he's a great and unique player, or because he had an unprecedented season.
Ohtani has a case to be called the game's best player. Most valuable? Not so much. Not this year.
James Leroy Wilson writes from Nebraska. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you find value in his articles, subscribe and exchange value for value. You may contact him for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.
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