The Envelope Please

Wow, it's really been two weeks since I updated here.
I guess that's just how terrible things got.
Although, I should point out that 83-79 isn't too bad, and that seven years ago, Twins fans (what ones there were) would've killed for an 83 win season.
There's a bunch of things that need to be said about the 2005 season, and I'm gonna try to get to all of them in the next week or so.
Really.
But for now, as a tide-myself-over update, I'm going to make my picks for the Post-season and the awards. (Yes, I'm a sportswriter, no, I don't get a vote).
PS - If you really want to read good stufff about the Twins season, and get some much better and smarter analysis, check out the startribune.com coverage over the weekend.
Tremendous stuff - astute analysis, good commentary, humerous writing, and not afraid to take well deserved shots at Gardy and T-Ry.
On to the ceremony....
AL Playoffs
Red Sox at White Sox
The White Sox impressed the hell out of me by sweeping the Indians to close out the year in games that didn't mean anything to them but could've got Cleveland to the playoffs. In Cleveland no less.
But I still like the Red Sox.
If Schilling is game, and my guess is he will be, the Sox have too much pitching with Wakefield, Wells, and Clement.
The White Sox hottest pitcher has been Jose Contreras, and he's not a guy that scares teams in October.
And Boston has David Ortiz, who, as much as it pains me to say, is the single most dangerous hitter in the game.
BOSTON IN FOUR.
Yankees at Angels
The Yankees are written off every year as too old, too slow, and too complacent, and yet every year theyre in the playoffs.
Randy Johnson got hot at the right time, and their offense got its shit together after the All-Star break.
The Angels are a good squad, and they eliminated the Yankees back in '02.
But I think the Yanks get there revenge.
YANKS IN FIVE.
Red Sox at Yankees
I just realized this very moment how boring the AL playoff teams are. I actually kind of hope the White Sox make it, because this Yankees-Red Sox shit is getting way old.
To pick one, well, neither team is as good as they were last year, but the Yankees have a much better bullpen.
I look at David Ortiz and think there's no way Boston can lose.
Then I look at Mariano Rivera and think there's no way the Yanks can lose.
YANKS IN SEVEN.
NL Playoffs
San Diego at St. Louis
The Padres made the playoffs at 82-80, the worst ever, while the Cardinals went 100-62, the best record in baseball.
I'm sure the Padres will look at teams like the 87 Twins (85-77) as inspiration, but it ain't happenin.
CARDS IN THREE.
Houston at Atlanta
This should be a good series - I really like the 'Stros.
The Braves won their 14th straight division title. That is amazing. Really, really amazing.
The Braves have some awesome young players (the Twins should look to them as evidence that you CAN, in fact, develop young hitters at the big league level) but youth isn't necessarily a good thing in post-season.
Houston's closer, Brad Lidge, is one of the nastiest pitchers I've ever seen.
ASTROS IN SEVEN.
Astros at Cardinals
There's a better chance of the Cards pitchers shutting down the Stros than vice versa.
St. Louis has dominated the NL for two years running, and I don't expect that to be interrupted.
CARDS IN SIX.
World Series
Last year the Cards were a team that had the ability to play with the Red Sox, but with Boston having just pulled off the biggest sports miracle since the 1980 US hockey team, did anyone really think the Cards had a chance?
That was destiny, friends, and it was on the BoSox side.
This year, that won't be the case. The AL had a down year, as both the Sox and Yanks have their warts.
The Cards do, too, but they're a much more balanced club.
Last year they were embarrased. This year they get it done.
CARDS IN SIX.

AWARDS
AL MVP
1. Alex Rodriguez
2. David Ortiz
3. Travis Hafner
4. Mariano Rivera
5. Vlad Guerrero
Ortiz carried the Sox, but guess what, he's a DH. I'm sorry, but I would never vote for a DH. And I'm not biased either, because I myself am, as the years pass, becoming more and more of a DH for my own team.
A-Rod had comparable offensive numbers, and is a Gold Glove at the 3-sack. In fact, he's baseball's best player.
AL CY Young
1. Mariano Rivera
2. Johan Santana
3. Bartolo Colon
4. Cliff Lee
5. Joe Nathan
Santana was the best starter in the league, but of course won only 16 games. I'd still vote for him were it not for the fact that Rivera played such a huge role in saving the Yankees again.
Just to point out how stupid NY fans are-remember that they were all calling for him to retire in April when he had a bad week to open the season.
Fuck you Yankees fans, you're all retarded. You don't deserve Rivera.
AL Rookie
1. Tadahito Iguchi, ChW
2. Nick Swisher, Oak
3. Gustavo Chacin, Tor
As long as the rules consider Japanse imports as rookie's that's good enough for me, and Iguchi was a big reason the Sox were so much better this year.
In fact, he's the kind of player the twins need to go find, because there's slim pickins on the free-agent market.
AL MGR
1. Joe Torre
2. Ozzie Guillen
3. Eric Wedge
The Yanks looked pitiful in April and May, and all the NY columnists excitedly broke out those "Demise of an Empire" essays that they've been keeping in their desk drawers for years.
But something happened.
The Yanks made winners out of guys like Robinson Cano, Aaron Small, Ching Wang (or whatever), Bubba Crosby and Shawn Chacon.
Some say that Torre is overrated because he has a trillion dollar payroll to fix the teams problems, and that argument isn't without merit.
But Torre has found out how to manage this particular organization the right way, and quite frankly, George Steinbrenner doesn't deserve him.
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Jason Giambi - This guy is the argument for the 'steroids are overblown' crowd.
After nearly being sent to the minors, the guy blew up after the break. 30 homers and an OBP of nearly .450.
And think, any team willing to take his contract could've had him in April or May.
NL MVP
1. Barry Bo- oh sorry, force of habit.

1. Andruw Jones
2. Albert Pujols
3. Derek Lee
4. Miguel Cabrera
5. Jimmy Rollins
Jones is already the best OF in the NL, maybe all of baseball (sorry if i'm partial to a certain #48).
Now this year he goes off and hits 51 bombs. Easy pick.
NL Cy YOUNG
1. Chris Carpenter
2. Dontrelle Willis
3. Roger Clemens
4. Roy Oswalt
5. Chris Capuano
Carpenter vs. Willis is a toss-up. Since Carpenter's still playing and Willis isn't, he gets the nod.
NL ROY
1. Jeff Francouer, Atl
2. Clint Barmes, Col
3. Zach Duke, Pit
None of these three played the whole season, but they're all studs. I'll give the nod to the SI cover boy.
NL MGR
1. Phil Garner
2. Charlie Manuel
3. Ned Yost
All made great second half runs, but Garner gets the nod for getting Houston in.
NL COMEBACK
Pat Burrell
Returned to stud status after a down year.