2016 MLBoyfriend Award Winners

Congratulations to my MLBoyfriends who won MLB awards for the 2016. Of course, no award is more coveted than that of MLBoyfriend, but the seven of you picked up some pretty nice things for your trophy cases.

Kris Bryant: National League MVP and the Hank Aaron Award (NL).

Mike Trout: American League MVP and a Silver Slugger Award.

Max Scherzer: National League Cy Young Award.

José Altuve: Silver Slugger Award and Player of the Year (Sporting News Players Choice Award).

Anthony Rizzo: Defensive Player of the Year (First Base), Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards.

Josh Donaldson: In addition to being the only player named as my MLBoyfriend twice, Silver Slugger Award.

Buster Posey: Gold Glove Award.

CONGRATS TO YOU ALL AGAIN! You all had great seasons in 2016. Don't rest on your laurels though. 2017 will be a tabula rasa for both MLB awards and my MLBoyfriend.

Pennant Winner: Anthony Rizzo

The Chicago first baseman claims his long overdue award as my MLBoyfriend as the Cubs head to the World Series for the first time since 1945.

There were several times during the regular season Rizzo that I considered giving Rizzo the title. He put up some impressive numbers with a very good .292 batting average and an even more impressive .928 OPS including 43 doubles, 4 triples, and 32 home runs. Also, he plays for one of my family's favorite teams, the long-suffering and now powerful Cubs.  With all that and some other qualities I look for in MLBoyfriends, Rizzo seemed like a lock to win it sooner or later.

I took it for granted that he would win in the postseason, so I delayed almost too long. To say Rizzo's October got off to a shaky start is an understatement. In the National League Division Series, he had a pathetic .067 batting average and a sad .176 on base percentage. Then, things went from bad to worse as the Conference Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers began. In the first two games he went 0 for 8, and the only reason his on base for those two games wasn't .000 is that he managed to draw one walk. He didn't get his first hit of the series until Game 3, but still underperformend in the game. Things were looking bad for the Cubs and for Rizzo's chances of becoming my MLBoyfriend.

Then came Game 4. Rizzo and the rest of the Cubs bats not only woke up, but dominated. Rizzo batted in 3 three of the Cubs 10 runs with a solo homer and well-placed single with the bases loaded. In a nice bit of baseball lore, Rizzo broke his slump and hit the homer by borrowing a teammate's bat.

Rizzo started off strong in Game 5 with an RBI double in the first inning. A bunt in the seventh gave him another hit.

NLDS: Conor Gillapsie

My newest MLBoyfriend's season has ended, but as I looked back over the National League's playoffs so far, it was clear that Conor Gillapsie was the one who found a spot in my heart.

Like many baseball fans, Gillapsie caught my attention in the NL Wild Card Game. While past MLBoyfriend winner Madison Baumgarner pitched a humdinger of a game that night--giving up just four hits and no runs in nine full innings--it was Gillapsie's three-run home run in the top of the ninth that scored the winning runs for the Giants.

Current and former MLBoyfriends Gillapsie and Bumgarner bond
after their Wild Card Game win. Also, gratuitous gun show.

It was, as they say, a Cinderella story. Gillapsie was not a star player for the Giants. In fact, he was only in the line up because heavy-hitter Eduardo Núñez (another MLBoyfriend) was injured. In October, anything can happen, and a bench player ended the Mets season in one at bat.

Gillapsie's homer that gave the Giants the Wild Card slot.

ALDS: Josh Donaldson

Congratulations to Josh Donaldson. He has the double honor of being my first postseason MLBoyfriend and the first repeat winner of the title.

Josh Donaldson is clearly happy with his second go-round as my MLBoyfriend.

Even though I have not once but twice named Texas Rangers as my MLBoyfriend, they are my second-most hated team in baseball. (FYI: The Boston Red Sox are clearly the my #1 most hated team, I am a big enough man to give one of them the title.) I was clearly rooting for the delightful Blue Jays to beat the Rangers. Naturally, I was thrilled when Toronto swept Texas in three games--especially because it was Donaldson who delivered the walk-off run in a dramatic fashion.


There were many Blue Jays who contributed to the sweep of the Ranger and that I as candidates for my MLBoyfriend. José Bautista had one home run, scored three runs and had four RBIs in the series. He also showed some class after his home run with a subdued bat drop as opposed to his epic bat flip that sparked a massive brawl between the Blue Jays and the Rangers early in the season. Also, Bautista is definitely looks handsome on the field.

José Bautista

Some might say that Edwin Encarnación was Toronto's MVP in the series--and there is a good case to be made for him with his two home runs, four runs and six RBIs. He showed a bit more bravado after his home runs than Bautista did, and that's okay with me.

Edwin Encarnación celebrates his homer.

Josh Donaldson had a very good series as well even if he didn't hit any of the Blue Jays ten home runs in the three games. He went 4 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs in the first game. The double he hit to get himself into scoring position in the 10th inning of the final game was awfully impressive. Then, he clinched his place as my MLBoyfriend when he dove home to clinch the series win.

Misters October

Fifteen of my MLBoyfriends made it into the postseason. This gives us a great opportunity to take another look at them.

Week 2: Eduardo Núñez, San Francisco Giants
The first entry on this list is bittersweet. I chose Eduardo Núñez as my MLBoyfriend when he was with the Minnesota Twins. As a Twin, he was the best player on a terrible team--but it's my hometown team and they have a special place in my heart. In July, he was traded to the Giants where he has been a very good player on a very good team. Even though he's not on San Francisco's wild card play-in game roster, the move definitely gave Núñez a shot at some postseason play.

Week 3: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
Here's hoping Bryce Harper will be bringing his best hair game to the postseason.

Week 4: Michael Conforto, New York Mets
Michael Conforto's season has been a bit of a roller coaster, but his towards the end earned him a spot on the Mets playoff roster.

Week 6: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
Max Scherzer is the Nats' go-to starter--as witnessed by the fact that he will be pitching in their first game of the postseason.

Week 7: Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox
The fact that I chose Jackie Bradley Jr. as my MLBoyfriend despite my longstanding hatred of the Boston Red Sox is a testament to his talent. However, my personal good feelings towards him have a limit, and I hope not to see him on the field for very long in October. Of course, I'd be more than happy to see him elsewhere.

Week 8: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
Congratulations, to Buster Posey for joining the 1,000 Hits Club on September 27th--and doing it in style with a home run.

Week 9: Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
It's no surprise Madison Bumgarner is pitching in the Giants Wild Card play-in game against the Mets. His pitching has outstanding in October.

Week 12: Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays
Since I'm a posting after the playoffs have begun, we've already gotten to see Josh Donaldson perform in the postseason--and he was a key contributor to the Blue Jays 11th inning defeat of the Orioles.

Week 13: Danny Espinosa, Washington Nationals
Another player with an inconsistent season at the plate, veteran Danny Espinosa comes into the postseason having just broken a cold streak--and is hoping to keep the hitting going in October.

Week 15: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
Unfortunately, Jacob deGrom underwent surgery in September and will not be able to pitch for the Mets in the playoffs. We look forward to seeing his famous locks back on the mound in 2017.

Week 19: Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
Yu Darvish won the last game of the regular season in an impressive showing--a quality start with twelve strikeouts and giving up only one run in six innings. Unfortunately, I simply cannot route for his team, the hateful Texas Rangers. Sorry, Boo.

Week 20: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
It's been 112 years since the Cubs win a World Series--which is a really long time--but they are the favorites to win this year. Kris Bryant--a very strong candidate for the National League MVP--is a key player in the Cubs quest to break The Curse of the Billy Goat.

Week 23: Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
Trea Turner inspired my favorite sports headline of the past week: Nobody puts baby-faced Trea Turner in a corner. Not anymore. Could he be the missing piece the Nationals needed to make it into their first World Series? Quite possibly.

Week 24: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Unfortunately, Baltimore is already eliminated, so we won't be seeing any more of Adam Jones in October. After the game, he showed his heart in calling out a Toronto fan who threw a full beer at fellow Oriole, Hyun Soo Kim, saying "That's as pathetic as it gets." He's a class act.

Week 25: Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
Elvis Andrus just had the best season of his career; however, I'm hoping his postseason is a repeat of last year (see Yu Darvish, above). While my hatred of the Rangers may be somewhat irrational, I also can't help still liking Elvis.

Thanks to all my MLBoyfriends for a great inaugural season of this blog. Congratulations to the fourteen who made it into the playoffs. Keep an eye out as I will be naming more MLBoyfriends as -the postseason progresses--culminating with my very own Mr. October.

Week 26: Dee Gordon

Dee Gordon secured the title of my MLBoyfriend Monday night when he hit a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first inning.



Gordon's teammate, pitcher José Fernández, had died just the day before in a boating accident. 

Dee Gordon with José Fernández

The Florida Marlins held a tribut to Fernández prior to the game, and then Gordon honored him in the best way possible. Gordon said of the home run:

“I ain’t never hit a ball that far, even in BP. I told the boys, ‘If you all don’t believe in God, you better start.’ For that to happen today, we had some help.”

Week 25: Elvis Andrus

I had to overlook my hatred of the odious Texas Rangers in making my choice this week. Fortunately for Elvis Andrus his fabulous first name helped me say, "I can pick a Ranger, and 'That's All Right.'"

Last week, Andrus had his competition "All Shook Up" with his .412 batting average and 1.474 OPS, His three home runs, five runs, five RBIs and two stolen bases made him the Rangers' "Good Luck Charm". With a performance like that as the season draws to a close, "It's Now Or Never" to name him my MLBoyfriend.

The Rangers clinched the AL West on Friday night, and Andrus celebrated with "A Little Less Conversation" and a little more action by hitting two home runs in one game for the first time in his career. Andrus will get a chance to "Shake, Rattle & Roll" some more in the playoffs in October.

Week 24: Adam Jones

Adam Jones is having a good year with 27 home runs and a respectable .277 batting average. The Baltimore Orioles are in a tight race for a postseason spot, and Jones' performance is an important if under-appreciated asset to the team. While his batting stats were not the greatest last week, Jones distinguished himself off the field. On Tuesday, September 13th, USA Today published an interview with Jones in which he discussed Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem protests which had begun to spread throughout the NFL. Of Kaepernick, he said:

"He believes in what he believes in, and as a man of faith, as an American who has rights, who am I to say he’s wrong? Kaepernick is not disrespecting the military. He’s not disrespecting people who they’re fighting. What he’s doing is showing that he doesn’t like the social injustice that the flag represents."

Jones then explained that the protests are unlikely to spread to MLB because, "Baseball is a white man's game."

The whole USA Today interview is worth your time, so GO READ THE WHOLE THING.

Jones followed up that interview with an ESPN interview.
UPDATE: Unfortunately the original ESPN interview is no longer available to be posted. You can see it here. In it's place, I have put this interview with Jones after a racist attack he faced at an away game after his USA Today interview.



With those two interviews, Adam Jones clinched the title of my MLBoyfriend of the week.

Week 23: Trea Turner

Yes, Trea Turner is absolutely adorable.

However, it takes a lot more than being Tiger Beat material to become my MLBoyfriend. Last week, Turner put up the numbers to win the title: a .400 batting average, 1.238 OPS, 3 home runs, 5 runs, and 8 RBIs.

On Friday, September 9, Turner had two home runs including a walk-off in the Nationals win against the Phillies.

Week 22: Mike Trout

Mike Trout has been a candidate for my MLBoyfriend almost every week this season--if for no other reason than I just wanted to use this picture.

Last week, he put up the numbers to earn the title. Last week, Trout had a staggering .556 batting average and 1.986 OPS with three home runs, eight runs and six RBIs. He even managed to steal a base. Very impressive numbers for a guy who has slumped in August in the past.

Unfortunately, there was some bad news for Trout last week. He was involved in a car accident on Wednesday in which a a woman was injured. I do not believe in lowering the bar for basic human behavior for athletes or other celebrities. That said, it seems this is not the type of tabloid story we are unfortunately used to with athletes. Trout rushed to help the injured person, cooperated fully with police on the scene and showed no signs of intoxication. Again, none of this is admirable per se; however, when I first saw just the headlines--especially the one in the New York Post--I was afraid it would be a deal-breaker. After "researching" the case (i.e., Googling "Mike Trout car accident"), this doesn't disqualify hm from being my MLBoyfriend. He had the day after the accident off, and was quickly back in form--hitting a home run at his first at bat on Friday.

Week 21: Gary Sanchez

I'm a lifelong Yankees fan, so it's surprising that it's taken me this long to chose a Yankee as my MLBoyfriend. Well, the right guy finally came along. Gary Sanchez was called up by the Yankees on August 2, and now, he's leading their quest for a wild card slot.

Last week, Sanchez was on fire at the plate batting over 500--to be exact, in 23 appearences, his average was .522. He had a 1.911 OPS, the highest in the MLB for the week. This all brought a lot of scoring for the Yankees--five home runs, seven runs scored, and nine runs batted in.

That kind of power is rare enough, but a catcher who can hit like that is a real treasure in baseball. The Yankees saw the potential in Sanchez to be that extra special catcher when he was just fifteen.

Sanchez not only gets to wear the Yankees Pinstripes--the best sports uniform ever--he also gets all the cool catcher's gear. IMHO, that is a killer combination.

Week 20: Kris Bryant

The Chicago Cubs are having an amazing season, so it's a bit surprising that, until today, no Cubbie has been my MLBoyfriend. This is almost as bad as the Cubs' famous World Series drought. Just as he might well help the his team break the Curse of the Billy Goat, Kris Bryant is finally bringing the title of my MLBoyfriend back to Wrigley Field today.

Kris Bryant is certainly the leading contender to be the National League MVP this year and has some impressive stats for the season. Even in the midst of a great year, last week stood out. From August 15th to 21st, he had an incredible .483 batting average with a 1.359 OPS and three home runs. He batted in eleven runs and scored nine himself. Those stats are largely due to the incredible game Bryant had on August 18th: he went five for five at the plate with two home runs, four runs and five RBIs.

In addition to being a great baseball player, Kris Bryant is ever so dreamy.

Week 19: Yu Darvish

Yu Darvish has been very impressive in his last two starts with a combined ERA of 1.32 and WHIP of just 0.80. He only gave up one walk in 13.2 innings. Not surprisingly, both outings were scored as quality starts and he was awarded the win in August 12th game against the Detroit Tigers. Yes, the better of those two games--in which he pitched seven shut-out innings with no walks against the Houston Astros on August 7th--was technically in Week 18 and should have put him in consideration for my MLBoyfriend last time, but this is my blog and I can make or break the rules as I choose. So, congratulations to Yu Darvish, my MLBoyfriend of the week.

Darvish has always been a strike-out pitcher. This amazing GIF of five of his pitches against Albert Pujols (no slouch of a hitter) superimposed over each other shows his control and consistency.

However, that is from 2013, and Tommy John surgery took Darvish out of the game all last season. He has come back this season as good or maybe even better than before.

Week 18: Joe Mauer

The Minnesota Twins apparently decided August was when they would finally show up and play some good baseball. They had five wins and only two losses last week and took a series against the top team in the American League Central, Cleveland, three to one. During this mini-hot streak, the Twins' offense has been lead by Max Kepler, Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer. Since the Twinkies will always have a special place in my heart, it makes sense to honor one of them this week. I presciently named Kepler my MLBoyfriend a month ago; however, despite his terrific performance last week including hitting three home runs in one game, I'm not ready to make him the first player to win the title twice. I have a completely irrational dislike of Brian Dozier--don't ask me to explain it because I can't--so he is out of the running. That makes Joe Mauer the obvious choice for my MLBoyfriend this week. I can't say I'm mad about that.

Mauer had a great week with 14 hits in 25 at bats including one home run. For a guy not generally known as a power hitter, he had an impressively high OPS of 1.663. Mauer scored 8 runs in those seven days and batted in 9.

As a hometown boy, Joe Mauer is the representative of the Twin Cities franchise. He even showed that the Twins run in his blood in fathering twin daughters.