Mauer wins AL MVP; Teixeira second, Jeter third
Photo credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara | Minnesota's Joe Mauer was named the American League MVP award, falling one vote shy of a unanimous win. (October 11, 2009)
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Mauer Is the AL's MVP
Mark Teixeira
Derek Jeter
The Yankees swept past the Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series, surviving a couple of close contests to advance to the AL Championship Series and leaving the late-surging Twins in their dust.
Monday, the Twins exacted the tiniest - but extremely well publicized - slice of revenge.
Joe Mauer trounced his competition in the American League Most Valuable Player balloting, capturing 27 of 28 first-place votes from Baseball Writers Association of America members for a total of 387 points. The Yankees' Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter finished second and third, tallying 225 and 193 points, respectively, via the BBWAA's system of 14 points for first place, nine for second place, eight for third place and so on.
What everyone wants to know, of course, is whether the catcher will eventually switch sides and join a large-market team like the Yankees, Mets or Red Sox. Mauer, 26, can be a free agent following next season, when the Yankees' Jorge Posada will have one year left on his deal and Boston's Victor Martinez can be a free agent. The Mets will acquire a catcher this winter, but it could be a short-term fix.
There's hope for Twins fans, however. Mauer is engaging in negotiations for a long-term contract extension, and his agent, Ron Shapiro, secured long-term deals for eventual Hall of Famers Kirby Puckett (Twins) and Cal Ripken, Jr. (Orioles) with their first clubs. Shapiro once authored a book titled, "The Power of Nice: How to Negotiate So Everyone Wins - Especially You!
Mauer said he would place no deadlines on signing an extension, explaining, "I've always said it'll happen when it needs to happen, and I truly believe that. I'm excited about next season. I'm excited about playing in Target Field (the Twins' new ballpark, opening next season). I think it'll work out when it needs to work out."
Added Mauer, a Minnesota native: "I definitely enjoy playing in front of my family and friends here in Minnesota. That's all I know. Do I think we can win it all here in Minnesota? Yes. That's what I'd ultimately like to do."
He won his first MVP trophy despite not playing for the entire month of April, due to a back injury. He made his debut on May 1 and proceeded to hit 28 home runs and lead the league with a .444 on-base percentage and .587 slugging percentage.
The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez tied the Angels' Chone Figgins for 10th in the voting, with 31 points; closer Mariano Rivera received 17 points for 14th place; second baseman Robinson Cano tied AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke with 12 points, for 17th place; and ace CC Sabathia tied Mauer's teammate Michael Cuddyer and Boston's Martinez for 21st place, with four points.
With so many star players, it's no wonder the Yankees defeated the Twins in the playoffs. But Mauer insisted he wasn't pessimistic about the future. Said Mauer: "I myself was watching Game [6 of the World Series]. I definitely want to be on the field when that [championship-clinching] moment happens. Over the years, we've definitely proven we can be in the postseason. My experiences have taught me that whatever team is hot in the postseason can win the whole thing. . .As long as we get to the postseason, we definitely have a chance."
The only player besides Mauer to receive a first-place vote was Detroit's Miguel Cabrera. That vote, awarded by Keizo Konishi of Kyodo News, who is based in Seattle, generated a great deal of buzz on the Internet.
Cabrera made news on the final weekend of the regular season, as the Tigers were blowing an AL Central lead to the Twins. Suburban Detroit police visited his home after Cabrera - who registered a .26 blood-alcohol reading - and his wife fought physically, after he returned in the early morning from drinking with players from the opposing White Sox.
