(PhatzRadio / USA Today) — There has been do doubt among baseball followers for some time that Justin Verlander would win this year’s AL Cy Young Award. The question remains whether his magnificent season will earn him MVP honors as well.

That won’t be answered until Monday, but for now Verlander will happily settle for claiming the first Cy Young of his career – and in unanimous fashion to boot.

The Detroit Tigers ace received all 28 first-place votes in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America for the maximum 196 points.

The Los Angeles Angels’ Jered Weaver finished second with 97 points and the Tampa Bay Rays’ James Shields was third with 66.

“It means a lot,” Verlander said. “There haven’t been too many people who have gotten unanimous decisions, the last one being Johan.”

Johan Santana, then with the Minnesota Twins, won the last of his two unanimous Cy Youngs in 2006. Verlander’s unanimous victory is the ninth in AL history.

Verlander blew away the competition by winning pitching’s Triple Crown, leading the league in victories with a 24-5 record, ERA at 2.40 and strikeouts with 250. Verlander also pitched the most innings (251) and finished with the best WHIP – walks plus hits per innings pitched – at 0.92.

On top of becoming baseball’s 12th Triple Crown winner in the last 50 years, Verlander threw his second career no-hitter on May 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays – only a walk kept him from a perfect game – and took two other no-hit bids into the eighth inning.

The no-hitter set him on course for the best season of his life.

“I had a different feeling in that game. I just felt very calm and relaxed,” Verlander said. “And I remember thinking, ‘Let’s try to carry this over for the rest of the season, because it’s working pretty good for me right now.”’

His mind-set changed from there on, to where he relied less on overpowering hitters, especially early in games, and more on offsetting their timing.

Verlander, 28, has been a dominant pitcher since his Rookie of the Year season in 2006, winning at least 17 games every season except 2008 and leading the league in wins, innings and strikeouts in 2009.

But he mastered the art of pitching this season while retaining the ability to throw the ball past hitters, who managed a league-low .192 batting average against him. Verlander’s 174 hits allowed and 57 walks given up were both career bests, and his ERA was more than a run lower than his career standard (3.54).

It wasn’t rare for Verlander to throw his fastball in the low 90s early in the game, then crank it up to 100 mph when he needed it later. He reached triple digits against his final batter in completing the May no-hitter.

“I felt like I evolved into a much better pitcher this year,” he said. “That comes from slowing down and pitching to contact.”

Verlander became the third Tigers pitcher to win the Cy Young – Denny McLain did it twice, unanimously in 1968 and sharing it with Mike Cuellar in ’69 – and there might be a bit of good karma for him in that fact.

Both McLain in ’68 and closer Willie Hernandez in 1984 earned the Cy Young and the MVP on the same year. However, no starter in either league has been named MVP since Rogers Clemens in 1986, reflecting an increasing belief among voters that only in the most exceptional of circumstances are pitchers legitimate candidates for the MVP.

Even Tigers manager Jim Leyland supported that notion, although his conviction wavered as Verlander’s exploits mounted over the season and he led Detroit to the AL Central championship.

Verlander said part of his case for the MVP is based on the huge impact he can have on the games he starts, but regardless of the outcome of that vote, he appreciated the award he had earned.

“If you had told at the beginning of the year that I was going to be a shoo-in for the Cy Young, I would have been absolutely ecstatic and amazed,” he said. “I never even could have thought about the MVP until it came into the picture.”

Tigers’ Justin Verlander wins AL Cy Young unanimously is a post from: PhatzRadio.com

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1. Detroit Tigers Playoff Run – I had a blast following the Tigers bid for the World Series. Although they fell a bit short, it was a great season and the Tigers have a promising future. The rotation remains a strength and if they can get consistency from Rick Porcello and find a reliable fifth starter (Jacob Turner?) then I think they’ll compete again. As far as second base, not much to pick from out there, but maybe a platoon involving Ramon Santiago will make due! I’ll miss Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez, but both will be remembered for having great Tiger careers.

2. Tony La Russa – As much as I love Sparky Anderson, I have to say Tony La Russa is the best baseball manager of my lifetime. All he’s done is win, in the era of free agency no less, and then changed the way the bullpen is managed to create favorable matchups. Congratulations to Tony La Russa and the Cardinals!

3. NBA Lockout – I know I’m not the only NBA fan who just doesn’t seem to care they aren’t playing right now? or actually, if they ever do again? I don’t know how to explain it, but the NBA just doesn’t really excite me much anymore.

4. Michigan/Michigan State Football – Two strong seasons so far on the gridiron and it’s looking like two warm weather bowl games for both the Wolverines and Spartans. I think both teams still have alot to work on, but I like where both programs are. MSU is maintaining a high level and Michigan is almost back!

5. Diet Time – Started the old diet again (Weight Watchers, yeah!) and now just need to come up with a good workout program!

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

Okay, so after that, I found this on Hulu…

…and I had forgotten just how impressive this was! 98 yards to tie the game. On the road. No wonder we call it “The Drive”.

Oddly enough, Valverde never won any of the six monthly Delivery Man of the Month awards during the regular season. It seemed there was always somebody a step ahead of him on a monthly basis. But when you look at the numbers for the whole season, Valverde’s pitching performance stands out as is one of the best in MLB history.

Along with the 49 saves, Valverde actually had a losing record of 2-4. But his ERA was an excellent 2.24 ERA and in 72 1/3 inning he only allowed 52. He struck out 69 batters and walked 34. Opposing batters just managed to hit .198 against Valverde. The numbers were even more astounding when he was pitching in save situations. He only allowed three runs on 26 hits in 49 innings and struck out 50 while walking just 20. Two of the three runs he gave up were scored on home runs.

There has been only one other pitcher who saved more games without blowing one and that was Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gagne saved 50 games out of 50 back in 2003 and saved 84 in a row when the season before and after were taken into account.

Valverde’s 49 straight saves easily bettered the Tigers’ former record of 32 which was set by Guillermo Hernandez back in 1984. Valverde also beat the franchise record for saves in a season, which was set back in 2000 when Todd Jones saved 42 games.

Jones paid tribute to Valverde by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch during game four of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees at Comerica Park. Jones said the only similarity between the two is that they’re both right handed. He said Valverde is a fierce competitor and had an amazing season. He added that his Tigers teammates were happy for him since he well liked in the clubhouse.

Valverde isn’t exactly loved by everybody though as his style and unique save celebrations often get on the nerve of opposing teams. He’ll often dance around the pitchers’ mound or cross his arms in celebration. He’s also known to be quite superstitious. However, Valverde said he doesn’t really know what he’s doing after he earns another save on the mound. He said he’s just focused on doing his job and not really paying attention to anything else.

He also said baseball’s a team game and he’s glad his performance helped the Tigers win a division title for the first time since 1987. He feels it’s nice to be honored for individual performances, but said the ultimate goal is to win the World Series as a team.

Click here to view the embedded video.

1. Starting Pitching – The Tigers will only go as far as the starting pitching takes them. Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Ryan Porcello are the big guns, but Brad Penny and Phil Coke will need to pitch well for the Tigers to have a chance. In my opinion, Porcello is the key. If he can rebound from last season and pitch better on the road, the Tigers will have a chance.

2. Miguel Cabrera – How much is the offseason troubles Cabrera got in going to linger into the season. If he gets off to a good start, all will be well in the Motor City. The one position player the Tigers need more than any other to stay healthy and produce.

3. The Bullpen – I was very excited when the Tigers signed Joaquin Benoit as a set-up man to closer Jose Valverde. Benoit was very good last year for the Tampa Bay Rays posting a 1.34 ERA in 63 innings of work. He’s basically been perfect in 9 innings of work this spring for the Tigers. Benoit and Valverde finishing games could give the Tigers a big edge in tight games.

4. Victor Martinez – Lost in the shuffle of spring training talk (at least to me) was the addition of catcher and DH, Victor Martinez. A big bat in the lineup to help protect Cabrera will also make all the Tigers hitters better. Martinez can be that bat, plus add some offense to the catching position, something the Tigers haven’t had in a while, no offense Gerald Laird.

5. My Prediction – Although the Tigers will be improved over last year in my opinion. It’s hard to predict a division title for them with the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox both to contend with. I can see the Tigers finishing over .500, but will it be enough to win the division or clinch a wild card. Probably not. I think the Wild Card will come out of the East, so that leaves only one spot for the playoffs between the Tigers, White Sox, and Twins. I’m guessing 88 wins tops for the Tigers, which would be 7 more than last year, but still 6 less than the Twins 94 which won the division last year. I will add this, if the Tigers pitching holds up and Porcello bounces back, and Coke and Penny can be solid, they’ll have a shot at 90+ wins and the division crown. My prediction is 88-74, and second place to the Twins. I’m hoping for more, hey, it is opening day after all!

Stadium Journey is…

a brand-new web venture. Our goal is to become a world-class community resource for sports fans, built around optimizing the experience of traveling to and attending live sporting events. We provide top-notch editorial content and reviews of sports stadiums. We rely on fans to provide tips and information about their favorite home stadium, or a first time impression. By sharing our knowledge, we can make every trip to the ballpark, stadium, or arena the very best it can be. Enjoy the journey!

I also found some other reviews of stadiums in our great state of Michigan, give them a read if you’re thinking of heading to a game!

Comerica Park – Detroit Tigers (My View: I love Comerica Park, but miss the closeness of old Tiger Stadium. You’re so far away from the action, but that’s how stadiums are built today.)

The Palace of Auburn Hills – Detroit Pistons (My View: I’ve had many great memories from games and concerts. Grant Hill vs. Michael Jordan was one of my favorites!)

Ford Field – Detroit Lions (My View: It looks great from the outside!)

Joe Louis Arena – Detroit Red Wings (I’ll always remember my first game at Joe Louis Arena. We were sitting in a suite of a friend’s uncle and we had a blast! Bob Probert had some monster hits and the Wings defeated the hated Chicago Blackhawks. I don’t remember the score, can’t find the ticket stub right now, but I know I didn’t leave the arena hungry!)

Photo courtesy of Stadium Journey

http://www.inplaymagazine.com/broadcasts.php?audio_id=43

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