For someone to win any Comeback Player of the Year award, it would mean that the person who wins it had faced some sort of adversity the year before, and must somehow overcome whatever that was the following year, and show the world that they still can perform above and beyond everyone's expectations. Dmitri Young of the Nationals and Carlos Peña of the Devil Rays (yes they were the Devil Rays last year) were truly deserving of the award last year. This year's winners were appropriate choices as well.
Congratulations to Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Brad Lidge of the Philadelphia Phillies. Today, both men were named the AL and NL Comeback Players of the Year.
After a horrible 2007 season that saw him demoted to the minor leagues, Cliff Lee rebounded to produce one of the most dominating seasons in recent memory. With a record of 22-3, a sparkling ERA of 2.54, four complete games, two shutouts, 170 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.11, if he does not get the Cy Young this year, then nobody should.
In 2007, the Houston Astros thought that their dominating closer, Brad Lidge, finally lost his edge. After all, he was demoted from his closer role with the 'Stros at the beginning of the year, and was only given the role back after the team traded the guy who was closing their games away. So when the Astros traded for eventual NL saves leader Jose Valverde, the team had no problem saying goodbye to Lidge. Finding a new home in Philadelphia, Lidge regained his edge and proceeded to save 41 games for the Fighting Phil's. He may not have won the league lead in saves, but still, 41 saves normally equals a good year. What makes his 41 saves special is that he was given 41 opportunities to save games for the Phillies, and he did not blow a single one.
So once again, congrats to Cliff Lee and Brad Lidge, MLB's 2008 Comeback Players of the Year!!!
Sincerely,
JayBee Anama
No comments:
Post a Comment