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     As the 2006 MLB season comes to a close, I would like to recognize teams, managers, players, and rookies who had exceptionally terrific seasons.

     (This article was written Tuesday Sep 12, and some stats have changed since then)

     Rookie of the Year

     AL-Major League baseball has never seen a rookie class like the ones who easily adjusted to the majors in 2006.  Rookie Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon has 35 saves, 4 wins, and an ERA under one.  Although Papelbon would easily win the rookie of the year any other year, he has competition in 2006.  Minnesota Twins starting pitcher, Francisco Liriano has led the Twins into the playoff race after they were twelve games behind the Tigers in early June.  Liriano has 142 strikeouts and is 12-3 with a 2.19 ERA.  The rookie appeared in the all star game, and was cruising towards a Cy Young award until he injured his elbow.  If Liriano can return before the season ends and lead the Twins into the playoffs, he will get much consideration for rookie of the year.  Justin Verlander is my top pick for rookie of the year.  As a rookie Verlander has 16 wins with an ERA just above three.  Verlander has also emerged as the ace of the first place, Tigers pitching staff.  Rarely does any rookie pitcher win as many games as Verlander has won this season.  Other A.L rookies who had great seasons are Angels pitcher Jared Weaver, Angels catcher Mike Napoli, Rangers infielder Ian Kinsler, and Twins outfielder Jason Kubel.

     NL- My pick for the National League rookie of the year is Marlins pitcher, Josh Johnson.  Johnson is 12-7,  and has 130 strikeouts with a 3.20 ERA.  Johnson has been very successful in the Marlins hunt for the wildcard spot.  The Marlins have many rookies who deserve consideration for the Rookie of the Year award.  Anibal Sanchez(8-2) has the majors' only no-hitter this year and is the first rookie since Bud Smith to pitch a no hitter.  Marlins infielder, Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla will also challenge all their teammates for the award. Ramirez has 47 stolen bases and Uggla has 24 home runs and 85 RBIs.  Brewers slugger, Prince Fielder also had a successful rookie year as he hit 24 home runs.

     Manager of the Year

     AL-  Its hands down, no questioning, Jim Leyland is the manager of the year.  He took the terrible Tigers and led them into first place.  The tigers had the worst team in the league just three seasons ago and now they are a playoff team thanks to Leyland.  Yankees manager Joe Torre  should also be recognized for maintaining first place of the AL East with so many injuries.  I would not be surprised if Twins manager Ron Gardenhire takes the award.  He has taken a very inexperience Twins team and has led them to the top of the wild card playoff race.  Gardenhire has been the best manager in baseball over the last two months.

      NL-  The National League manager of the year will be Marlins coach Joe Girardi.  He has led the Marlins into the wild card race even though almost every baseball critic predicted this team to finish in last place.

     Cy Young

     AL-In the American League, the Cy Young Award has to go to Twins pitcher Johan Santana.  Santana leads the majors in wins(18) and in strikeouts(230).  He also has an ERA under three. Santana is the ace of the wildcard leading Twins and no other American League pitcher has pitched better.  Some other pitchers to consider are Toronto's Roy Halladay, and the Tigers' Justin Verlander.

     NL-  For the second year in a row, Chris Carpenter will win the NL Cy Young Award.  Carpenter has 14 wins and an ERA under three.  Although the National League pitchers are pretty weak this year, no one can take anything away from the great season that the Cardinals ace has had.

     MVP

     AL-   I'm picking David Ortiz.  The sports writers will pick Derek Jeter.  Ortiz leads the American league in home runs(48) and in RBIs with (127).  If Big Papi wins this award he will become the first designated hitter to win the MVP award.  Derek Jeter will get much consideration because of his spectacular plays on defense and his clutch hitting. Jermaine Dye, Justin Morneau, and Johan Santana also deserve high consideration for the award.

     NL-  Ryan Howard of the Phillies will win the NL MVP. The Phillies first baseman is having one of the best seasons in baseball history.  With 56 home runs with three weeks left in the season, I believe he will be the first slugger to truly pass Roger Maris (61)on the single Season home run list. Only Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa(3 times) have passed Maris's 61 home runs in one season.  Bonds, Sosa, and McGwire all did it in the steroid era.  Howard will not only win the NL MVP but he will be considered baseball's real home run king. 

     Enjoy the rest of the season.