2011_Major_League_Baseball_National_League_Most_Valuable_Player__Individual_or_Team_Award__Matt_Kemp_vs._Ryan_Braun

2011 Major League Baseball National League Most Valuable Player: Individual or Team Award' Matt Kemp vs. Ryan Braun Bryce McHale COM/170 December 19, 2011 Diana Penning 2011 Major League Baseball National League Most Valuable Player: Individual or Team Award' Matt Kemp vs. Ryan Braun In sports, the term Most Valuable Player (MVP) in any given year usually translates into the player who had the best season. However, in the National League’s (N.L.) 2011 season, Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers was arguably the best player statistically speaking. However, he lost out on the MVP award voting to a player with less credentials but who played on a better team, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, 2011 N.L. MVP. While the MVP award is given out to only one individual, should team success play a vital role in this special individual award' During the voting process of the 2011 N.L. MVP award it absolutely did. It was obvious, that in order to receive the votes needed to win the MVP award, a player must combine a great statistical season along with team success. Let us examine the facts. Both Matt Kemp and Ryan Braun had outstanding statistical seasons; however, take a closer look and it is clear that Matt Kemp outshined Ryan Braun during the 2011 N.L. season. Consider these seven key offensive categories and three key defensive categories as evidence, note which player had a better season (listed first) and their individual ranks in comparison to the rest of the N.L. (in parenthesis). (MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 2001-2011) Offensive Comparisons: 1. Batting Average a. Braun: .332 (2nd) b. Kemp: .324 (3rd) 2. On Base Percentage c. Kemp: .399 (4th) d. Braun: .397 (5th) 3. Hits e. Kemp: 195 (2nd) f. Braun: 187 (5th) 4. Home Runs g. Kemp: 39 (1st) h. Braun: 33 (6th) 5. Runs Batted In i. Kemp: 126 (1st) j. Braun: 111 (4th) 6. Runs Scored k. Kemp: 115 (1st) l. Braun: 109 (2nd) 7. Stolen Bases m. Kemp: 40 (2nd) n. Braun: 33 (7th) Defensive Comparisons (based on player’s primary defensive position): 1. Fielding Percentage a. Braun: .996 (1st for Left Fielders) b. Kemp: .986 (6th for Center Fielders) 2. Put Outs c. Braun: 259 (2nd for Left Fielders) d. Kemp: 345 (5th for Center Fielders) 3. Assists e. Kemp: 11 (1st for Center Fielders) f. Braun: 8 (4th for Left Fielders) Now, let us compare and contrast the role each player had on his team and how they provided an impact. From an offensive point of view, Matt Kemp was clearly the offensive leader and the Dodgers relied solely on him for their offensive success. This is backed up by the fact that no other offensive player for the Dodgers received an MVP vote. On the other hand, it could be argued that Ryan Braun was not even the best offensive player on his team. Fellow Braun teammate, Prince Fielder, is a fierce contributor to the success of the Milwaukee Brewer offensive and this is supported by his third-place finish for the 2011 N.L. MVP Award (McCalvy, 2011). Now from a defensive point of view, Kemp plays center field and Braun plays right field. It is common baseball knowledge that out of the three outfield positions, center fielders are the most athletic and skilled. They are the clear leaders of the outfield and assume more defensive responsibility. Now, we will examine some statistics that can clarify the offensive and defensive impact these players had on their team’s success. (MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 2001-2011) 1. Runs created a. Kemp: 141 b. Braun: 138 2. Hits that put the team ahead c. Kemp: 34 d. Braun: 31 3. Sacrifice at Bats (giving up your at bat for the success of the team by bunt or fly out) e. Kemp: 7 f. Braun: 3 4. Defensive Errors g. Braun: 1 h. Kemp: 5 Finally, let us examine the teams that these two players were on and how their individual achievements may have affected their team’s final record and standings in the 2011 N.L. season. Gauging an individual’s effect on a baseball team with a 25 man roster and a 162 game season, is rather subjective. This is why it is difficult to quantify what team success really means when voting for an individual award, but let’s avoid the use of contractions in academic writing take a look at a few interesting facts (MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 2001-2011). Place the punctuation after the citation, since the citation is part of the sentence 1. 2010-2011 Season Record comparisons a. 2011 Brewers: 96-66 (.593 winning percentage, 1st place in their division) b. 2011 Dodgers: 82-79 (.509 winning percentage, 3rd place in their division) c. 2010 Brewers: 77-85 (.475 winning percentage, 3rd place in their division) d. 2010 Dodgers: 80-82 (.494 winning percentage, 4th place in their division) The Brewers clearly showed vast improvement from 2010-2011 by improving their record by 19 games, compared to the Dodgers 2 ½ games. The Brewers also won their first division title since 1982; while the Dodgers finished 11 ½ games out of first place in their division. 2. 2010-2011 games played by individual and teams record in those games e. Ryan Braun 2011: 150 games played, Brewers record 91-59 (.607) f. Matt Kemp 2011: 161 games played, Dodgers record 82-79 (.509) g. Ryan Braun 2010: 157 games played, Brewers record 76-81 (.484) h. Matt Kemp 2010: 162 games played, Dodgers record 80-82 (.494) Ryan Braun showed an increase of .123 percent in win percentage of games he played in from 2010 to 2011 as compared to an increase of only .015 for Matt Kemp. When reviewing the facts related to the Matt Kemp and Ryan Braun MVP award voting, two facts become absolutely clear. Matt Kemp had the better statistical year as shown by having outperformed Ryan Braun in 10 of the 14 offensive and defensive statistical categories covered. Ryan Braun on the other hand, was easily on the better team and ultimately his achievements may have contributed to greater team success. Unfortunately, history is starting to show that this is a trend and the importance of team success is more crucial than ever when evaluating a player’s individual performance and value. According to McCalvy, (2011), 16 of the 24 MVP’s in MLB since the year 2000 have come from division winners, 19 have come from teams that made the playoffs and 21 (all but three) have come from teams that finished the season within 2 ½ games of first place. These facts seem to raise the question of whether the winner of the MVP award should still be considered the best player that year or is the MVP becoming watered down and just a representation of a good player on a great team' Did the MVP voters get it right in 2011' The facts clearly show that the voters got it wrong and once again placed too much value on team success over individual performance. Matt Kemp was clearly the superior player of the two and the most deserving player of the 2011 N.L. MVP Award; sadly though for Matt Kemp, times are changing and he was not able to enjoy the most important factor considered nowadays of this individual award, “Team Success.” References You did an excellent job with these! McCalvy, A. (2011, November 22). Mighty season brings Braun NL MVP Award. Retrieved December 12, 2011, from MLB.com: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp'ymd=20111121&content_id=26018700&vkey=news_mlb&c_yid=mlb MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (2001-2011). Retrieved December 12, 2011, from MLB.com: http://mlb.mlb.com/index.jsp COM 170 Week 5 Final Compare/Contrast Essay Grading Rubric Content/Development60 points | PointsPossible | PointsEarned | Comments | The introduction provides a clearly stated thesis sentence within the first paragraph; the central idea to be explored in the essay is clear. | 5 | 5 | Bryce, you did an admirable job with this final version of your paper. This is a model of what a good compare/contrast paper should be in terms of how information about both sides of both players being discussed. You clearly understand how to use this rhetorical mode and your passion for your chosen topic really shines through. Kudos to you on a job well done! | The essay follows the general structure for a compare/contrast essay. Both sides of the topic are effectively presented, with an overall balance between the two. | 15 | 15 | | Details that are descriptive, concrete, and supportive are used to communicate the author’s points in the chosen style of the paper. If included, research is blended seamlessly and adds to the content of the paper. The writer fully supports all points being made, as opposed to simply listing them as accepted fact. | 30 | 30 | | The conclusion is logical, flows from the body of the paper, and reviews the major points. | 5 | 5 | | The paper is 1,050-1,400 words in length. (+/-5%) | 5 | 5 | | Organization/Sentence Structure25 points | PointsPossible | PointsEarned | Comments | The organization of the paper is clear and easy to follow; ideas flow in a logical sequence. | 5 | 5 | The paper is very well organized and the sentence structure is consistently strong. Paragraphs are topic-focused and the writing is active and moves the reader forward easily from one thought to the next. | Paragraph transitions are present and logical and maintain the flow throughout the paper. | 5 | 5 | | Sentences are well constructed, with consistently strong, varied sentences. | 5 | 5 | | Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of thought. | 5 | 5 | | Tone and vocabulary are appropriate to the assignment. | 5 | 5 | | Mechanics15 points | PointsPossible | PointsEarned | Comments | APA format is attempted | 5 | 5 | You did a fantastic job with APA format. The mechanics errors noted are very minor. | Spelling, grammar, usage, and punctuation are correct. 10 pts/0-1 errors 8 pts/2-3 errors 6 pts/4-5 errors 4 pts/6-7 errors 2 pts/8-9 0 pts/10+ errors | 10 | 8 | | Total Points Earned: 98/100 Assignment Grade: 9.8/10