Willy didn't get rookie of the Year, Ryan Howard got it. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...t_id=1265229&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
I'm pretty surprised there was so much hype surrounding Taveras in the national media. He really wasn't good enough to merit consideration for ROY. His biggest advantage was his playing time vs. the other serious candidates. Both Francour and Howard played in less than 100 games. But they were vastly superior hitters. Even Taveras' defense, which is great but not top shelf, doesn't make up for his absolutely abysmal offensive showing.
I think it was far from "abysmal" myself, but dude's going to have to learn to hit the ball into the outfield if he wants to get on base in the future--I don't foresee 70 infield hits every year, especially when he gets into his 30's.
Wow, that's crap. don't get me wrong -- Howard is going to be a star, and he was clutch down the stretch. But he only played in 88 games! That's just over half the season. That's like giving Ausmus the Silver Slugger award based on the fact he hit .300 in the second half. (OK, not quite, but you get the picture.) I just think that you've got to play way more than 88 games to get consideration for a full-season award. Give Howard "Rookie of the Month" awards from July-October instead ...
Come on, if any of us were GMs they would take Howard over Taveras each and every day of the week. DD
Dunno, I guess I am pissed because Willy busted his ass all year and Howard didn't play 100 games in the majors.
That's not the issue. Last time I checked the award wasn't for "Player With Greatest Potential Who Most GMs Would Pick First." The award is for performance over the course of a season, or at least most of a season. Just over half a season doesn't cut it in my book. (And yes -- I'd take Howard over Willy T.)
Taveres has to be the most hated on Astro. Dude was batting over .300 in the World Series and people on this site were talking about taking him out of the lineup. HE'S A FREAKIN ROOKIE. And he played pretty damn well for someone who got thrown into the fire.
Taveras did a hell of a job. But Howard was a much better player. I think his lack of games played was more than made up for by outshining Willy. Our guy who hit leadoff had a pretty low OBP (and low SLG, so it's not like that balanced it at all). He had speed--that's about it. I love him on our team, but I think Howard deserves it..
