Big Papi is the Runner Up

Well, the votes have been tallied and unfortunately it seems that our beloved David Ortiz did not take the American League's Most Valuable Player Award for 2005. Announced this afternoon, the award went to Alex Rodriguez of those damn Yankees; A-Rod received 16 first place votes, with a total of 331 points, while Big Papi got 11 first place votes and 307 total points. The Baseball Writers' Association of America has two writers from each league city vote for their pick of Most Valuable Player before the post-season kicks off. It seems that the writers thought that a third baseman was a little more valuable than a designated hitter. So where does this leave Big Papi? Well, he walks away with a $400,000 bonus while A-Rod will be adding another cool million to an already inflated paycheck. Rounding out the top five were the Angels' Vladimir Guerrero, our own Manny Ramirez, and Cleveland's Travis Hafner.

Some think that being a DH has a certain stigma attached to it when it comes time to vote for an MVP and Bostonist has to agree. But Ortiz came through for the Sox in so many nail-biters this past season, Bostonist thinks he should have walked away with the prize. Better luck next year, Big Papi.