Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Number Six
Roger Clemens – Pitcher
1986 Stats: 24-4 W/L, 33 G, 254 IP, 179 H, 67 BB, 238 K, 2.48 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 2.81 FIP
Clemens also captured the Cy Young Award and although I have a personal aversion to MVP for pitchers, a case can certainly be built around Roger’s work. Leading the league in just about every significant pitching category with one surprising exception – strike outs. Don Mattingly finished second and Rice came in third. The horrors of the World Series will not be detailed here.
Number Five
Jim Rice – Left Field
1978 Stats: 163 G, .315/.370/.600, 213 H, 121 R, 46 HR, 139 RBI
Possibly the most feared right-handed bat in baseball for a decade and 1978 was at the top of his performance chart. Rice led the league in most offensive departments and even bagged a league leading 15 triples. Jim Ed also showed his penchant for mashing in double plays by leading the league with 31. Most were rockets capable of infielder decapitation. Ron Guidry (25-3, 1.74) finished second in the voting. The season can be spelled out with two words: Bucky Dent.
Number Four
Ted Williams – Left field
1946 Stats: 150 G, .342/.497/.667, 176 H, 142 R, 38 HR, 123 RBI
The 1946 Red Sox were a juggernaut and won the American League pennant by 12 games. Williams also was MVP in 1949, but there was no World Series for that team, so I will use 1946. Williams led the league in runs (142), walks (156), total bases (343) and OPS (1.164). So much for rust after three years of military service.
Number Three
Jimmie Foxx – First base
1938 Stats: 149 G, .349/.462/.704, 197 H, 139 R, 50 HR, 175 RBI
Foxx just missed the Triple-Crown since Hank Greenberg polished off 58 home runs for Detroit, but “The Beast” just dominated. A powerful right-handed bat that also led the league in total bases (398) and OPS (1.116). Foxx did everything possible, but the Red Sox finished second – well behind the Yankees.
Next: No. 2