Results tagged ‘ St. Louis Cardinals ’
MARK McGWIRE ADMITS DRUG USE
After years of accusations the truth about Cardinals’ slugger Mark McGwire finally admits to using PED’s during his career. He even admitted to using steroids during the 1998 season in which he broke Roger Maris’ record for single home runs in a season. McGwire who was recently hired as the St. Louis Cardinals’ Hitting Coach felt compelled to break his silence and said, “It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era.” He said he first started using steroids as a member of the Oakland Athletics’ in 1989 again in 1993 and “on occasion” throughout the decade. It’s ironic how fellow steroid user Barry Bonds broke the record that McGwire had broken 3 years earlier. Bonds beat McGwire by hitting 73 home runs in a single season. Jose Cansenco had originally outed the slugger in his book “Juiced” but McGwire famously told Congress in 2005 that he wasn’t there to discuss the past, when called to testify before a committee investigating steroid abuse within the game. Yesterday he said he “wasn’t able” to come clean during his Capitol Hill appearance. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig applauded McGwire’s admission.
ALBER PUJOLS WINS NL MVP UNANIMOUSLY
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols has won the 2009 National League Most Valuable Player Award. It is Albert’s third NL MVP award of his career. Pujols received 32 first place votes, good for 448 ballot points. Florida Marlins SS Hanley Ramirez garnered 15 second place votes and 233 points. Philadelphia Phillies 1B Ryan Howard was a close third with 217 points. They were followed by Milwaukee Brewers 1B Prince Fielder and Colorado Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki. Pujols has won the award two seasons in a row and he is only the tenth player all time to win the award three times. Every player that has won three MVP’s and been elected to the HOF have made it in. New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez and former San Francsico Giants OF Barry Bonds have not yet been elected. That wraps up the Yakkin’ About The Yankees coverage of the 2009 season, now I turn my focus to the off season including all trades, rumors and free agent signings.
2009 AWARDS
Cy Young Award
Zack Greinke won the AL Cy Young award and Tim Lincecum won his second consecutive NL Cy Young award. Greinke finished up the season with 16 wins and Lincecum won 15 games but was only 5 – 5 after the All Star Break. Lincecum upset Carpenter and Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals who seemed to be the favorites in the running for the award.
Rookie of The Year
Wagner College product Andrew Bailey of the Oakland Athletics won the AL Rookie of the Year and Chris Coghlan of the Florida Marlins won the NL Rookie of the Year. The rookie LF finished up his season with a .321 batting average and a .460 slugging percentage. The rookie Athletics’ closer racked up an ERA of 1.84 in 68 games .167 batting average against.
Manager of the Year
Colorado Rockies’ manager Jim Tracy won the NL Manager of the Year and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim manager Mike Scoscia won the AL Manager of the year award. Scoscia led his club to the ALCS but was beaten by 2007 MOY Joe Girardi’s Yankees as they went on to win the World Series. After taking over during the season and after the firing of Clint Hurdle Rockies’ manager took his team to their second playoff beth in 3 seasons as they won the NL Wild Card but were beat by the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS who eventually lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series.
Comeback Player of the Year
Toronto Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award and St. Louis Cardinals SP Chris Carpenter won the NL Comeback player of the Year award. Hill finished up his season with a .286 batting average and a .499 slugging percentage. After returning from injury Chris Carpenter compiled a 2.24 ERA .226 batting average against leading his team to a NL Central Division Championship.
National League & American League MVP will be announced on Monday.
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