A case for Verlander

Photo By:  Julian H. Gonzolez (Detroit Free Press)  

You can talk stats until you’re blue in the face and let’s be honest, a CPA could make a case for more than a dozen guys in each league where it concerns the statistical duel for Most Valuable Player.  It’s really simple, Justin Verlander is the 2011 American League Most Valuable Player.

While stats indicate likely impact, likely doesn’t always track with reality.  Forget that Verlander won the A.L. pitching Triple Crown and forget that he’s the hands down Cy Young winner as well because cumulative hardware doesn’t make an MVP any more than all of the statistics do.  Let’s face it, if the Tigers had another second-half meltdown and don’t win the division and make the playoffs we’re not even having this conversation because even though he would still be the statistical best pitcher and probably one of the league’s best players but his impact didn’t make the difference. 

News Flash:  Verlander’s Tigers did make the playoffs and he is very much part of the MVP conversation and really the only guy you can vote for because beyond the incredible stats, his ridiculous ability to through a 100 MPH fastball in the eighth, this Verlander guy impacted the entire American League.  Teams shuffled bullpens and batting orders days in advance because he was projected to pitch against them.

There is the argument that every day players have more impact and while there are plenty of guys with bats and glove who do have a big impact in the league, none have been as consistently dominating or created the impact as Justin Verlander in 2011.  No, Verlander doesn't get you an RBI, a home run, or even a single.  He just prevents the other team from scoring any runs.  He shuts them down, forces the ground ball outs, broken bat dribblers that turn to double plays, and causes the best hitters in this game to freeze in the box.  You can also say he doesn’t win without the defense or the hitting, and the Tigers hit well this year.  I would only add that in many cases, to include the sixth inning of the ALCS game 5, Verlander’s ability to dig down and dominate opposing teams sparked the Tiger bats. 

His similar performances throughout the season not only sparked bats but motivated the rest of the pitching staff, starters and relievers, and that is what an MVP does.  Accountants will agree that his individual stats clearly mark him as the best pitcher in 2011.  Fans, players and coaches only need to feel that tension in their gut to know it’s Justin Verlander’s attitude, grit and dominance that generates the effect he’s had in the home and visitors clubhouses.  Those are marks of a game changer and the American League’s Most Valuable Player.