Value judgement

For Marlins players, coaches and others, it's no easy task picking team's MVP

By MIKE PHILLIPS

mphillips@herald.com

 

 

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TOP VOTE-GETTER: Among players, coaches and others associated with the Marlins, All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell received the most votes for team MVP in an informal poll conducted by The Herald. 'It's a no-brainer,' utility infielder Andy Fox said. 'It's Mike Lowell.' AL DIAZ / HERALD STAFF

 

 

Want to start an argument in a bar? Need to wake them up at the water cooler? Want to play your own version of Pardon the Interruption?

 

Just throw this question out there: Who is the most valuable player for the Marlins?

 

Had to think about it, didn't you? Don't feel too badly. Even the Marlins have a hard time with this one.

 

They might be headed for the playoffs, but they can't tell you, definitively, the one guy who might be taking them there.

 

The Herald conducted an informal poll, and all it got back was confusion. Twenty-seven players, three coaches, the manager and the media relations director were asked to vote for an MVP, and the answers ranged from ''I can't -- I just can't vote for one guy'' to ''the entire starting rotation'' to ``the defense of the infield.''

 

Three players declined to vote. Infield coach Perry Hill said it was impossible to name one MVP.

 

''I've never been on a team in my career where you couldn't name an MVP,'' said Hill, in his 11th year in the big leagues. 'But when you look at this team, you just say, `Wow!' You can't do it.''

 

''I can't do it,'' manager Jack McKeon said. ``There's too many players who have got us where we are. How can you name one guy?''

 

Pitcher Carl Pavano had no problem naming one: ``The MVP? That's Jack McKeon!''

 

Don't laugh. The Marlins have the best record in the majors -- 50-26 -- since May 23, and are 53-33 since McKeon took over May 11. He's a favorite to win the National League Manager of the Year award.

 

Four players -- third baseman Mike Lowell, center fielder Juan Pierre, pitcher Dontrelle Willis and catcher Iv?n ''Pudge'' Rodr?guez -- received votes, in order from most to fewest. And the players who voted were passionate about all four.

 

''It's a no-brainer,'' utility infielder Andy Fox said. ``It's Mike Lowell. He's carried us all year, and he has evolved into a figure in this clubhouse, a leader. He reminds me of Matt Williams or Don Mattingly -- they led by example on the field and had respect in the clubhouse. Everyone on this team respects Mike Lowell.''

 

Lowell is having a career season (.288, 32 home runs, 103 RBI) and will receive some votes for National League MVP honors. (The ballots require writers to vote for the top 10 players.) And he's having what McKeon and Hill consider a ''Gold Glove-type year'' at third base.

 

But Lowell wasn't a unanimous choice in a clubhouse full of opinions. The Marlins' three TV broadcasters were asked to vote, too -- and they gave different answers.

 

''That's a good question,'' Len Kasper said. ``For me, there's two guys -- Dontrelle and Mike Lowell. I love Mikey, but if you've got to have one, then it's Dontrelle because of the impact he has had on the team.''

 

Kasper's partner, Tommy Hutton, went with Lowell: ''I've got to go with the everyday player,'' said Hutton, a former big-leaguer. ``You look at those numbers and what Mike does for this team day in and day out. He's my MVP.''

 

Craig Minervini picked Rodr?guez: ``He's had so many big hits. You're shocked when he doesn't drive in the run. He's been the anchor.''

 

To break the tie, The Herald went to Hall of Fame broadcaster Felo Ram?rez, who does color commentary for the Marlins on Spanish TV.

 

''There are a lot of good players,'' Ram?rez said. ``But you have to have one -- and that one is Mike Lowell.''

 

Said pitcher Brad Penny: ``Flip a coin between Lowell and Pudge. I guess if I have to go with one, it's Pudge. We didn't start winning until he started hitting.''

 

Penny has a point: Rodr?guez (.315, 15 homers, 72 RBI) got hot shortly after McKeon took over, and he has 27 multihit games over his past 62 starts, raising his average from .239. And he has been Mr. Clutch, hitting .424 -- second in the NL -- with runners in scoring position.

 

Most players offered more than one name. Rodr?guez, for his part, had a long list that included Lowell, Pierre, Willis, McKeon and 20-year-old rookie Miguel Cabrera, who filled a huge hole in left field when he was called up from Double A Carolina in late June.

 

''Look at what Cabrera has done since he came up,'' Rodr?guez said.

 

``This team has so many MVPs. What Mike Lowell has done for us is unbelievable. But I have Pierre on my list, and I have to put the manager on my list, and you have to have Dontrelle on that list.''

 

Willis, a 21-year-old left-hander, went from Double A to the All-Star Game. He's 11-3, and the Marlins are 15-4 when he starts.

 

''Look at the impact he has had,'' catcher Mike Redmond said. ``Not only the games he's won, but he gave us a spark when we needed it most. It seemed like he started doing it, then everybody else stepped up to keep up with him.''

 

Even Lowell voted for Willis. After all, Lowell -- long the subject of trade rumors before Florida's resurgence -- might not be a Marlin today without him. Willis is clearly the MVP at the box office, where a mini-season ticket plan is packaged around the ``D-Train.''

 

''He sparked the interest that led to other decisions being made -- like us going out and trading for [reliever]Ugueth Urbina,'' Lowell said.

 

But MVPs come in all shapes and sizes, and many believe 6-0, 180-pound Pierre is the choice.

 

''Mike Lowell has those numbers,'' third-base coach Ozzie Guill?n said. ``And he may be the MVP, but you have to have at least two because J.P. is the heart and soul of this team. He just does so much to help us win.''

 

McKeon said Pierre's leadoff presence has sparked the Marlins. Pierre has become a fan favorite because his diving catches and aggressive running -- he leads the majors in steals with 57 and consistently bunts his way on base. He is on pace to become the first Marlin to reach 200 hits.

 

''The MVP? That's easy. It's J.P.,'' pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal said. ``We go as he goes. He's the one who gets everything started.''

 

And Pierre starts early. He is regarded as the hardest-working Marlin.

 

''He is always the first one on the field and the last off,'' pitcher Mark Redman said. ``He works harder than anyone I've ever been around in baseball.

 

``He just does everything for us, from making great catches to stealing bases to getting us going every night. I don't know where we would be without him. He's my MVP.''

 

Who's yours?

 

? McKeon has been nominated for MLB.com's Manager's Move of the Week award. McKeon earned the honor for his decision in Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

McKeon used Mike Mordecai as a pinch-runner for Lowell in the ninth, and Mordecai delivered a two-out, walk-off home run in the 11th to lift the Marlins to a 2-1 victory.

there are so many different MVP's on this team....

 

betcha cant pick just 1

I agree. You can't pick one. Everybody contributes to a win, whether it be defensively or offensively.

The Marlins should do something ala the New England Patriots and win the NL MVP as a team

The Marlins should do something ala the New England Patriots and win the NL MVP as a team

:lol

There are so much MVP on the Marlins. They have all contributed big and are playing as a team and thats part of the reason we are playing so good.

JP, Lowell, Redman, Willis, Cabs just to name a few

Mordi! Mordi! Mordi! lol MVP MVP MVP

Well, if I could pick three players that have made the greatest impact for us this year, it would be:

 

-Mike Lowell

-Pudge

-D-Train

The reason that we are where we are is that ever since Jack Mckeon and Wayne Rosenthal took over we have had a team of MVPs. We aqre what the Angels were last year because at any time nybody can step up and deliver in the clutch. By the way, Cabs and Mordi aren't MVPs! The only thing that we can really select is an unmvp... :shifty

The reason that we are where we are is that ever since Jack Mckeon and Wayne Rosenthal took over we have had a team of MVPs. We aqre what the Angels were last year because at any time nybody can step up and deliver in the clutch. By the way, Cabs and Mordi aren't MVPs! The only thing that we can really select is an unmvp... :shifty

JACK FOR MVP

lol

 

:marlins

Lets just hope we don't fade like the Angels did last year.....

Lets just hope we don't fade like the Angels did last year.....

huh?

Meant to say this year, sorry