Graham's Word: Mike Trout the shining example of what a true MVP should be
I read an interesting article Wednesday written by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. In this article I found the content and its title to not really mesh. Jerry right off the bat with the title makes it seem as if Mike Trout doesn't win MVP awards because he's "too boring." In the same article he also says the award is won on numbers (which is correct) but that the writers who vote have a way of disregarding players who are on losing teams (also correct).
I'm just trying to figure out why Mike Trout's lack of 'interestingness' off the field has anything to do with him winning MVP's and more importantly why that's a "problem."
THAT — that right there, is the problem.
Jerry writes a narrative that suggests Mike Trout's lack of headline-making is a "problem." The problem is you Jerry, and every other "mainstream media" writer that sees it this way. You look for "interesting" and let's just all say it, you're really taking interesting to mean "drama."
Your vision is skewed Jerry — badly.
The definition of an MVP Award in Major League Baseball has nothing to do with 'interesting' off the field antics.
When we start scrutinizing a player for his staying clean off the field, we have become an embarrassment.
Is that the message we want to send to our kids? "Son, if you want to be an MVP, your numbers aren't enough, you have to be 'interesting' off the field buddy, so start thinking about what you can do to 'make a splash' for headlines."
This is wrong. Jerry's article lacks any true merit or direction for that matter. I was confused just reading it.
If there is any player that currently wears a MLB uniform of who I would want kids to idolize? It's unequivocally Mike Trout.
He is putting up MVP numbers while on a team that is mediocre at best. That is the definition of an MVP.
He still does all of the little things to win a game on a losing team. That's the definition of an MVP.
He hustles and dives to grab a ball in the gap to rob a hit while on a team whose season will end at 162 games. That's the definition of an MVP.
He shows up to the park in the same mindset for game 150 as he did for game 1 and performs like it. That's the definition of an MVP.
If he's a player that likes to, after games on the road, go eat and then go straight back to the hotel for shuteye so he can play baseball all over again the next day, instead of the going to the club to try and be 'interesting'? That's the definition of an MVP.
You know what's 'interesting' to me in today's world? Someone who can stay above the influence and just do his job. THAT is what is interesting. Do what you do Mike Trout don't change your course. After all, you're only considered the best player in the game.
But Jerry? You keep telling yourself that the best player in the game, the best example of who we want are kids to emulate, isn't MVP worthy because he's 'just not that interesting.' You're an example of what is wrong with society.