Dustin Pedroia bugs the hell out of me

I can't stand Dustin Pedroia.

The little Napoleon complex punk just gets under my sky. He and his partner in whine Kevin "I'm here to fix your pipes" Youkillis just seem to always be complaining about something. Schmucks.

However, as an objective baseball fan I can appreciate how good the little bastard is - and I can even admit to myself that, if he were wearing pinstripes rather than that ugly red uniform he currently owns, I would probably love him.

I actually don't have a problem with Pedroia winning the AL MVP this year, even though I probably would have voted for Joe Mauer simply because a catcher winning his second batting title has to count for something, right?

But here is what bothers the hell out of me in regards to Pedroia- why was voting for this little bum the noble and right thing to do, yet, two years ago, when Derek Jeter had a similar, if not superior year, and helped lead his team to a second half comeback that resulted in a division title, did he get snubbed?

Look at Pedroia's year: .326 17 83, with 118 runs, 213 hits, 54 doubles, 20 stolen bases, a .376 OBP and a .493 SLG. Very good numbers, numbers that were hailed as outstanding because of the player's stature and his style of game. His old-school approach was hailed as Pete Rose of the modern era.

Yet, look at Jeter's year in 2006: .343 14 97, with 118 runs, 214 hits, 39 doubles, 34 stolen bases, a .417 OBP and a .483 SLG. That's a better year than what Pedroia just put up by any measure, and when you add in to account the fact that Jeter posted that season during a year where the team lost BOTH their starting, All Star corner outfielders and suffered through A-Rod's worst statistcal year, it is even more impressive.

Jeter's year, however, was doomed because his power numbers weren't thought to be sufficient. Instead of being praised aas the true throw-back player he is, and rewarding him for playing the right kind of game in a era when so many have played it the wrong way, his season was picked apart as if it were somehow wanting.

As you can tell, the 06 snub really pissed me off.

Now, in 06 Justin Morneau, the first baseman for the Twins, won the award. This year, he came in second. His year in 06: .321 34 130 with 97 runs, 190 hits, 37 doubles, .375 OBP and a .559 SLG. This year: .300 22 129 with 97 runs, 187 hits, 47 doubles, .374 OBP, a .499 SLG.

Obviously, he had a better year in 06, but not by much. In fact, besides the homers and the SLG%, the numbers are pretty much the same. Yet, in 06, his year was hailed as exceptional. This year? His power numbers weren't given near the weight as they were when compared with Jeter.

I'm not trying to say that Pedroia didn't deserve the award this year. What I am saying is that Jeter, off of a better year in 06, was seemingly penalized for the same things that earned Pedroia praise this year. Whereas Jeter's lack of power numbers were disparaged, Pedroia's little man act was commended. Whereas Jeter's leadership skills and intangibles were largely ignored, Pedroia's stewardship of the clubhouse was revered. Why, in only two short years, did the writers decide that the qualities such qualities were redeeming rather than detrimental?

All of that info leads to this point: there is an obvious double standard and bias against the Yankees that exists and that, more than anything else in my mind, contributed to Jeter being snubbed for a second time (he should have won the 1999 MVP).

It is sad because Jeter is quickly getting older and may not have another 06 type of year in him. Now, he is a first ballot hall of famer with or without an MVP, but it doesn't negate the fact thaat Jeter has played the game the right way for 13 years now and instead of being acknowledged for it, he has been penalized.