GOLD GLOVE
Props to our SS Buddy Harrelson for earning his first Gold Glove honor.
SILVER SLUGGER
Saluting Tony Perez on being named the Silver Slugger recipient at 3B in the National League.
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Gil Hodges got absolutely hosed on NL Manager of the Year. That honor went to Scott Rhodes of the Atlanta Braves. Soak this one in...the Braves "improved" from 83-79 in '68 to a whopping 85-77.
Conversely, Hodges, in his first season at the helm for the Mets, steered an organization that had yet to experience a winning season to a 97-65 mark. That showing not only coming on the heels of a 68-94 disaster in '68 but also marking the most wins in a season for a franchise whose previous highwater mark was 75-87 in 1965.
Sorry, I'm biased but Hodges was undeniably robbed.
CY YOUNG
Next...National League Cy Young. It went to Juan Marichal, who was 21-7 with a 1.77 ERA. No one is going to gripe about that choice. Well deserved.
But, here were the top 8 vote getters...
JuanMarichal, San Francisco (21-7, 1.77)
Tom Seaver, Houston (15-10, 2.17)
Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles (17-12, 2.66)
Gaylord Perry, Pittsburgh (19-10, 2.13)
Larry Jackson, Atlanta (23-7, 2.30)
Fergie Jenkins, Pittsburgh (19-10, 2.90)
Bob Gibson, St. Louis (16-12, 2.72)
Jim Maloney, Cincinnati (20-6, 2.63)
All have really good numbers.Koufax, Gibson, Seaver and Jenkins were all in the top five in strikeouts (our own Steve Carlton led the National League in that department with 282).
But, how about these numbers...16-2, 1.78? That would be Dick Selma. No consideration? None? Really?
All I can think of that may have held him back...all the guys above made at least 34 starts and no more than 35...Selma only made 22. He missed over two months mid season with an elbow strain. Selma got NO love from the voters.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Hard to argue with Hank Aaron getting the nod here...in a landslide. Hammer hit 52 bombs, drove in 113 and carried a .302/.390/.613 slash line.
But, gotta give shoutout to runner-up Tony Perez. He played 3B all season for us and was locked in the entire campaign at the plate. Perez collected 44 homers and 130 RBI while his slash line was .318/.388/.579.