Da Dude's Daily Diamond Dialogue

Now that the All-Star game has come and gone, who are the front runners for the best of awards in MLB? I want to know what my readers think. I'll give the categories and who I think the mid-season front runner is. Whether you agree or disagree, your comments will be appreciated and rewarded, I'll give you a five and enter you into a drawing for a 7 day, 6 night vacation to one of three luxurious resorts. Shortly before the drawing you will be notified that you have indeed won 1 of 5 wonderful prizes if you attend the drawing. At the time of the drawing you will be entertained to a 90 minute presentation by one of my cordial sales staff offering you a bargain to own a piece of these 3 wonderful resorts. Without further ado....

AL MVP? Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers. Honorable mentions, A. Rod, Josh Hamilton, Grady Sizemore

AL Cy Young? Cliff Lee.

Top AL Closer? Mariano Rivera. No blown saves, best ERA and WHIP among closers. Joakim Soria IS the second best. 2nd best ERA and WHIP among closers, only 2 blown saves.

NL MVP? Lance Berkman, Houston Astros. Honorable Mentions, Hanley Ramirez, Chase Utley and Albert Pujols.

NL Cy Young? Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks. Cole Hamels, Tim Lincecum and Edinson Volquez are right there with him.

Top NL Closer? Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs. Brad Lidge is arguably as good, but I gave Wood my vote because of his better WHIP.

KC Royals Best Player? David DeJesus. Although Jose Guillen led the Royals in HR and RBI, DeJesus is hitting over .300, leads the Royals in OBP, is hitting over .400 with RISP and has played all 3 outfield positions this season without committing an error.

KC Royals Best Pitcher? Joakim Soria, closer. I had to give the Mexicutioner the nod over Zack Greinke. Soria has been consistently overpowering this season, with special emphasis on the word "consistent".

Any comments on the all-star game. Great pre-game introduction with all the living HOF players that could make it on the field. I would have loved being there. When in the history of the game, has there ever been greater talent , past and present, on a baseball diamond? The game was a classic itself.

AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP

I can't belive Chipper isn't even an honorable mention for MVP...What's a guy gotta do? Lincecum has been better than Webb, who is kinda riding that amazing streak at the start of the year right now. I'd give Lidge the NL closer of the year. I'd no saves and no losses would be awfully hard to argue with. Other than that, good job.

AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP

14 Straight,

No disrespect to Chipper. I chose to only mention 4 players maximum. No doubt Chipper is having one of his best seasons ever, but its tough to argue with the performances of Hanley, Utley and Pujols. The NL pitchers are really close, and I pretty much decided a "too close to call" shot on the NL Cy Young on the fact that Webb is the reigning winner of the award and his performance hasn't had any drop off.

Thanks for reading and responding pal.

AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP

Fair enough on the Chipper front. The 4 you mentioned are having killer years. But, with all due respect to Webb, the Cy competition is stiffer this year. Lincecum's (and Volquez's, for that matter) stats are off the hook. How do you go 11-2 on that team? I usually pay no attention to W-L numbers, but wow.

14 Straight Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 29, 2008	Posted on: July 19, 2008 4:34 pm Score: 91 AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP I can't belive Chipper isn't even an honorable mention for MVP...What's a guy gotta do? Lincecum has been better than Webb, who is kinda riding that amazing streak at the start of the year right now. I'd give Lidge the NL closer of the year. I'd no saves and no losses would be awfully hard to argue with. Other than that, good job. [ Reply to Comment ]
KidDude123 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Apr 4, 2008	Posted on: July 19, 2008 5:20 pm Score: 92 AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP 14 Straight, No disrespect to Chipper. I chose to only mention 4 players maximum. No doubt Chipper is having one of his best seasons ever, but its tough to argue with the performances of Hanley, Utley and Pujols. The NL pitchers are really close, and I pretty much decided a "too close to call" shot on the NL Cy Young on the fact that Webb is the reigning winner of the award and his performance hasn't had any drop off. Thanks for reading and responding pal. [ Reply to Comment ]
14 Straight Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 29, 2008	Posted on: July 19, 2008 5:34 pm Score: 92 AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP Fair enough on the Chipper front. The 4 you mentioned are having killer years. But, with all due respect to Webb, the Cy competition is stiffer this year. Lincecum's (and Volquez's, for that matter) stats are off the hook. How do you go 11-2 on that team? I usually pay no attention to W-L numbers, but wow. [ Reply to Comment ]
Bastyd Reputation: 79 Level: Pro Since: May 14, 2008

KidDude123

AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP

AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP

AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP

AT THE BREAK - AL/NL MVP, Cy Young and Royals MVP