Now that the 2003 Major League Baseball season has winded down and I have settled down after the Yankees' World Series loss to the Marlins, I think it's time to reflect on the best players in both leagues from this past season.CATCHER:
AL: Jorge Posada, Yankees. Jorge may be the AL MVP. His numbers aren't great compared to some other American Leaguers, but the position he plays and how improved his defense has been this year - and also a weak pool of MVP candidates on winning teams - may lead to him winning the award. Probably the best catcher in baseball at this point. (Honorable Mention: Jason Varitek and AJ Pierzynski)
NL: Javy Lopez, Braves. This may have been a fluke, but it was an amazing season for any player, never mind a catcher. He's had a great season once before in his career, but 43 homers and 109 RBI's is amazing. Interesting, that after a bunch of years of doing nothing, he excels in his walk year. (Honorable Mention: Ivan Rodriguez and Mike Lieberthal)
Advantage: AL
FIRST BASE:
AL: Carlos Delgado, Blue Jays. 42 home runs and 145 RBI's would win you an MVP on a winning team. But unfortunately for Delgado, his team dropped considerably after a very quick start and finished out of contention. But that does not take anything away from the middle of that lineup with Delgado and Vernon Wells. (Honorable Mention: Jason Giambi and David Ortiz)
NL: Jim Thome, Phillies. He had a horrible start, but his finish almost propelled his team into the playoffs as the wild card. Though Todd Helton's .358 average, compiled with Thome's 182 strikeouts would seem to give the nod to Helton, Thome's second half surge (he ended up tied for the MLB lead in homeruns) and meaning to his team gave him the edge. (Honorable mention: Helton and Richie Sexson)
Advantage: AL
SECOND BASE:
AL: Alfonso Soriano, Yankees and Bret Boone, Mariners. This race was too hard to declare a clear cut winner. Soriano had slightly more home runs, while Boone's batting average was slightly higher. Boone had more RBI's while Soriano stole considerably more bases. Boone definitely gets the nod defensively, but Soriano was the leadoff man for the Yanks and got them into the playoffs. (Honorable Mention: Michael Young)
NL: Marcus Giles, Braves. Great breakout season for Giles. Really made a name for himself and helped that Braves offense role. (Honorable Mention: Jose Vidro)
Advantage: AL
SHORTSTOP:
AL: Alex Rodriguez, Rangers. He's just an amazing offensive player, especially for a shortstop. Although the team around him has sucked since he's been there (and his large contract doesn't help that much), he has played hard every day and put up amazing stats. Wouldn't be too surprised if he ended up in a different uniform next season if someone is willing to swallow that contract or Texas is willing to eat some of it. (Honorable Mention: Nomar Garciapparra, Miguel Tejada, Derek Jeter)
NL: Edgar Renteria, Cardinals. Great season for Renteria batting .330 and driving in 100 runs. On a team decimated by injuries, he stayed in there and had almost 200 hits this season while walking more than he struck out. (Honorable Mention: Rafael Furcal)
Advantage: AL
THIRD BASE:
AL: Eric Chavez, A's. Not as great as he's been in the past, but another really good season for Chavez. Helped lead Oakland again to the playoffs, though his weak performance there really left them helpless in the last three games against Boston. Nevertheless, he is the best third baseman in the AL this year and now, and with Tejada seemingly gone, the most important offensive player on the A's. (Honorable Mention: Hank Blalock-especially for his home run in the All Star Game and Bill Mueller)
NL: Scott Rolen, Cardinals and Mike Lowell, Marlins. This race was so close, that if Mike Lowell hadn't broken his wrist at the end of the season, he would probably have won it. But regardless, these two players had an unbelievable year for their respective teams. Rolen and Renteria made up on the best left sides of any infield in the majors and Mike Lowell was the leader of that Marlin team until he went down. (Honorable Mention: Aramis Ramriez and Morgan Ensberg)
Advantage: NL