Kansas City SS Angel Berroa walked away with the ROY Award for the AL in the closest vote in 25 years. Barely, edging out Yankee OF'er Hideki Matsui for the award, Berroa hit .287-17-73 for the Royals in the 2003 season.
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Planet Earth Posts: 1379
Posted:
Nov 10, 2003 6:19 pm
I believe the better player won the award, however I disagree with people who said that Matsui was too old to win the award. Age shouldn't be considered among criteria for the ROY. Even though Matsui played in Japan, and had great success there, that doesnt mean he doesn't qualifty as a rookie in America. I think everyone would agree that the MLB is much more skillful then the Japan leagues. Matsui just upgraded the level in which he plays the game of baseball, just like american minor leaguers do when advancing from AAA to the bigs.
I agree with you baseballfreak. Berroa was better than Matsui this season and the fact that Matsui is a veteran from Japan is irrelevant.
Tom Candiotti ESPN wrote:
Royals shortstop Angel Berroa is certainly worthy of this year's AL rookie honor, but I thought Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui deserved it more. Look at how he filled in at the center-field position when Bernie Williams was injured; look at his hitting and run-production (106 RBI to Berroa's 73); and look at how he produced in New York with all the media stress. It's hard to ignore all that. He would have been my pick, not to take anything away from Berroa.
Is it me or is Candiotti a fool? Does Matsui deserve this award because of any of Candiotti's arguements? No. Let's take a look...
1) Matsui filled in at centerfield when Bernie was injured.
So what? Matsui played centerfield in Japan so what's the difference to him moving to center for 46 games this season... none. Matsui also wasn't a good defender. He made 8 errors this season and tied for the league lead in LF with 7 errors despite playing in fewer games.
2) "look at his hitting"
Okay let's. Virtually identical production; however Berroa plays at a weaker offensive position.
Matsui .287/.353/.435 .788 OPS
Berroa .287/.335/.451 .789 OPS
3) "look at his run production (106 RBI to Berroa's 73)"
Huh. Did he think that batting in a run producing spot in the order may influence this? Matsui had 415 at-bats in the 4, 5 or 6 hole this season - 391 from the 5 hole. Berroa had 52 at-bats in the 4, 5 or 6 hole - 0 from the cleanup spot.
Candiotti should have argued that Matsui was a better hitter with runners in scoring position which was true.
4) "look at how he produced in New York with all the media stress"
I do agree with him somewhat on this front; however Matsui wasn't under the intense NY spotlight due to the Yankees numerous superstars. And no matter which team Matsui had signed with, he would have the same Japanese spotlight.
