Morneau Locks Up AL M.V.P.

Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins yesterday won his first AL M.V.P Award narrowly over Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter.

Morneau had stellar numbers (.321/34HR/130RBI) on a Twins team that was overshadowed by it's pitching staff. The Twins had the best record in baseball during the second half of the season but were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Oakland A's.

But was Jeter more deserving of the award? Jeter's batted .343, had 18HR and 97 RBI's and won a Gold Glove Award, on a Yankee team that was banged up all season and Jeter pretty much carried the Yankees to a division title and to the playoffs.

The questions should be raised. Would the Twins have made the playoffs without Morneau and would the Yankees have made the playoffs without Jeter?

Both are deserving of the award, but has the MVP award strayed away from awarding the "Most Valuable Player" to awarding the "Best Player". Surely Morneau had the best stats offensively, but Jeter's leadership and the way he carried his team could have made him more "valuable". Congratulations to Justin Morneau.

Morneau Wins MVP Over Jeter In A Close Vote - N.Y. Times