By Joel Sherman
Week 24 of Awards Wednesday:
AL MVP
1. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees. 2. Magglio Ordonez, Tigers. 3. Jorge Posada, Yankees. A_Rod has hit .179 with no homers in 29 at-bats since his last homer. But he has pretty much made himself bulletproof for this award with his overall great play. (Previous leader: A-Rod).
AL ANTI-MVP
1. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers. 2. Vernon Wells, Blue Jays. 3. Julio Lugo, Red Sox. These three well-paid players are among the bottom eight in on-base percentage in the AL among those who qualify for the batting title. (Previous leader: Richie Sexson, Mariners).
NL MVP
1. Prince Fielder, Brewers. 2. David Wright, Mets. 3. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies. Wright could be hurt by the Mets’ swoon. (Previous leader: Wright).
NL ANTI-MVP
1. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers. 2. Andruw Jones, Braves. 3. Ray Durham, Giants. Furcal saved his worst (.210 batting average in September) for last as the Dodgers’ slim playoff hopes have all but been doused. (Previous leader: Jones).
AL CY YOUNG
1. C.C. Sabathia, Indians. 2. Josh Beckett, Red Sox. 3. Fausto Carmona, Indians. Two teams have two pitchers each with at least 17 wins: The Indians with Sabathia and Carmona, and the Angels with John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar. (Previous leader: Sabathia).
AL ANTI-CY YOUNG
1. Horacio Ramirez, Mariners. 2. Jeff Weaver, Mariners. 3. Daniel Cabrera, Orioles. Will Cabrera ever mature enough to control his emotions and great stuff to be a success? (Previous leader: Ramirez).
NL CY YOUNG
1. Jake Peavy, Padres. 2. Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks. 3. Brad Penny, Dodgers. Peavy is going to get some MVP consideration. (Previous leader: Peavy).
NL ANTI-CY YOUNG
1. Guillermo Mota, Mets. 2. Kip Wells, Cardinals. 3. Adam Eaton, Phillies. Has any player in the majors hurt his team’s psyche and results more than Mota? (Previous leader: Wells)
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox. 2. Brian Bannister, Royals. 3. Hideki Okajima, Red Sox. For now, Okajima is barely holding off the Indians’ impressive young set-up man Rafael Perez and Royal closer Joakim Soria. (Previous leader: Bannister).
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Ryan Braun, Brewers. 2. Yovani Gallardo, Brewers. 3. Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies. I will buy stock in the Brewers’ future. (Previous leader: Braun)
SPECIAL AWARD OF THE WEEK
FIVE BEST STARTING PITCHERS 25 AND UNDER
1. Matt Cain, Giants. 2. Cole Hamels, Phillies. 3. Gallardo. 4. Tom Gorzelanny, Pirates. 5. Chad Billingsley. Encouraging for the Yankees, you can at least make Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and — eventually — Joba Chamberlain part of the discussion.
FIVE BEST TEAMS
1. Red Sox. 2. Yankees. 3. Indians. 4. Angels. 5. Tigers. For the body of work, Boston holds on for another week. But the Yankees are gaining fast. (Previous leader: Red Sox).
FIVE WORST TEAMS
1. White Sox. 2. Orioles. 3. Devil Rays. 4. Astros. 5. Pirates. The Orioles look as lost as ever. (Previous leader: White Sox).