The cover story of the current ESPN: The Magazine has ya boy, reigning MVP and the first to don the triple crown since 1967, Detroit Tiger Miguel Cabrera, alongside “WAR” winner Mike Trout.
Trout has talent, but he didn’t have nearly the impact on the 2012 MLB season that Big Cat did.
Looking into the arguments inside The Mag, I saw that Ben Zobrist was WAR’s leader in 2011 (AL) with an 8.5. He must have had some gaudy numbers. Let’s look:
.269 BA 99 Runs 20 HR’s 91 RBI 19 SB’s
That stat line is from the LEAGUE-LEADER in 2011 American League “WAR.”
This stat is obviously unfit to solely produce the MVP. Zobrist received extra statistical love because his position, 2B, is weak.
Where did he finish in the MVP voting? 16th.
BA .269 (WTF?)
R 99 (Is 100 too much?)
HR 20 (cute)
RBI 91 (fine)
SB 19 (congratulations)