Saturday, December 17, 2016

Season 40 Wrap Up - Cleveland Rocks!

Cleveland brings home the title in Season 40!

It was just another Cleveland-Chicago World Series matchup, but simulation did not mirror reality as it was the AL Champion Cleveland Naps taking the World Series this time around.  Cleveland, who had the 2nd best record in Cobb this season, did not lose a game in route to the World Series, beating Chicago in the Divisional Round, and the team with the best record, Detroit, in the ALCS in clean sweeps.  Cleveland went down 2-1 in the World Series, before taking 3 straight to win in 6 games.  The Cleveland offense was clicking all postseason, mashing 23 Home Runs in 13 games with a team OPS of .808.  Despite a few rocky Starting Pitching performances, they finished with a 3.71 team ERA this postseason, thanks to a solid bullpen.  This is Cleveland's and douglasdao's 2nd Cobb title, as they also won it all in Season 36.  Congrats!

Now, for this year's major award winners!

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
American League - Jerry Johnson, Cleveland - .350 AVG 38 HR 106 RBI 19 SB
It was a phenomenal year for the 28 year-old Cleveland slugger, who put forth his best numbers of his career to help Cleveland win the World Series title.  For his efforts, he gets the AL MVP trophy, although it was a tight race.  It's hard to argue against Johnson winning though, given his most impressive stat line.  He also won his 3rd Silver Slugger award this season and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him back as a strong MVP candidate in future seasons.

National League - Jim Burnett, Chicago - .304 AVG 56 HR 143 RBI 11 SB
It's just another spectacular season for Burnett, who now has 8 straight seasons of 40+ HR and 100+ RBI, and the fact that he produces those numbers while playing a solid CF makes him extremely valuable.  The 30 year-old made his 6th All-Star team and won his 7th Silver Slugger award in Season 40 as well.  This is his 2nd MVP win, also taking the trophy in Season 35.  Burnett is on his way to becoming one of Cobb's all-time great Center Fielders.

CY YOUNG AWARD
American League - Scott Schafer, Detroit - 26-8 3.18 ERA 220 K
It was a runaway win for the 30 year-old Detroit right-hander in the AL Cy Young race, and looking at his numbers it's not hard to see why.  You don't see pitchers winning 26 games that often.  Schafer also made the All-Star team this past season, his third appearance.  Schafer is a true workhorse who eats up innings with excellent splits and control.  Despite mediocre pitch command, he continues to post impressive numbers.

National League - Al Osoria, San Jose - 17-6 1.24 ERA 212 K
The San Jose righty goes back-to-back in Cy Young award wins with another spectacular season, posting the 2nd best ERA in 40 seasons of Cobb history.  He also made his 3rd All-Star appearance this seasons.  There aren't enough superlatives to describe Osoria's performance this past season.  It's hard to pick out any flaws in his makeup.  At just 26 years old, Osoria should continue to be one of the best pitchers in Cobb for seasons to come.

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