Post by rog on Nov 16, 2018 20:06:06 GMT -5
One can make an argument that Willie Mays is the best player ever. I think he should have fared better (probably two more wins), but in his 22-season career, Willie won two MVP awards, finished 2nd twice, 3rd twice, 4th twice, 5th once and 6th twice.
In Mike Trout's seven full seasons, he's won twice, finished 2nd 4 times, and finished 4th. In other words, in seven full seasons, Trout has won as many MVP's as Willie and finished 2nd twice as often. This Trout guy isn't too bad.
One can argue that in order to win Mays had to beat out Aaron, Clemente, Robinson, Banks and McCovey. But Trout has had to beat Cabrera, Betts, Ramirez, Martinez and Lindor. Hard to know for sure if the latter five will turn out as well as the former quintet, but Cabrera is pretty much in the same category, and Betts, Ramirez and Lindor are off to starts that would rank them comfortably with the first quintet -- especially since Lindor is a shortstop and Martinez has played third, second and short. Betts is the best defensive outfielder aside from Mays, and he can also play second base. As could Aaron. Mays could play shortstop, although he was almost never used there by the Giants.
I don't believe any player has ever gotten off to as good a seven-season start as Trout in the MVP voting. I don't think anyone else has come close. Mickey Mantle is the closest I can think of. Mickey won twice, finished 3rd, and finished 5th twice in his first seven full campaigns.
If Trout stays healthy, there's a fabulous chance he'll wind up in the rare air of Ruth, Mays, Bonds, Cobb and Wagner. Trout has already hit .307 with 240 home runs, 189 steals, 793 runs and 648 RBI's. In order to make the Hall of Fame, all he really needs to do is get to his 10 seasons to achieve eligibility without falling on his face.
Put two Mike Trout's in the Giants' outfield, and they'd be one of the best teams in the game.
In Mike Trout's seven full seasons, he's won twice, finished 2nd 4 times, and finished 4th. In other words, in seven full seasons, Trout has won as many MVP's as Willie and finished 2nd twice as often. This Trout guy isn't too bad.
One can argue that in order to win Mays had to beat out Aaron, Clemente, Robinson, Banks and McCovey. But Trout has had to beat Cabrera, Betts, Ramirez, Martinez and Lindor. Hard to know for sure if the latter five will turn out as well as the former quintet, but Cabrera is pretty much in the same category, and Betts, Ramirez and Lindor are off to starts that would rank them comfortably with the first quintet -- especially since Lindor is a shortstop and Martinez has played third, second and short. Betts is the best defensive outfielder aside from Mays, and he can also play second base. As could Aaron. Mays could play shortstop, although he was almost never used there by the Giants.
I don't believe any player has ever gotten off to as good a seven-season start as Trout in the MVP voting. I don't think anyone else has come close. Mickey Mantle is the closest I can think of. Mickey won twice, finished 3rd, and finished 5th twice in his first seven full campaigns.
If Trout stays healthy, there's a fabulous chance he'll wind up in the rare air of Ruth, Mays, Bonds, Cobb and Wagner. Trout has already hit .307 with 240 home runs, 189 steals, 793 runs and 648 RBI's. In order to make the Hall of Fame, all he really needs to do is get to his 10 seasons to achieve eligibility without falling on his face.
Put two Mike Trout's in the Giants' outfield, and they'd be one of the best teams in the game.