On a related note, the Hardball Times has Sheffield #1 in the AL in Win Shares Above Average. MVP, anyone?

Not unless he gets traded. There seems to be a unspoken rule that unless a Yankee has an stupendous season, he won't be voted MVP. Sure they'll garner some votes, but not enough to win the hardware. I think it has to do with their success relative to their teammates.

On a related note, does anyone think Johan Santana should get serious, and I mean serious, consideration for the Cy Young

Or, maybe because it's Thome is white? Or because Shef is a Yankee?

(I'm sure I'll get flamed for this.)

Instead of focuing on race, how about that Thome is a nice guy and Sheffield is grumpy?

good question. 400 homers now is not thought all that much of; what's more amazing is what Sheff's doing this year with a bum shoulder. I'd hate to think where the Yankees would be without him. (Yeah, I know, in the market for Beltran).

Well done, Dave...I was surprised to find so little hype around Sheff's 400th. He's been awesome this year...that he's playing through pain is impressive enough, but the level he's playing at makes it that much more incredible.

I've heard before that Yankees don't get their share of MVPs, but I don't know. In the last few years, at least, no Yankee has really deserved the MVP. The closest you really get would be Posada last year, maybe Jeter in '99 or Giambi in '02. But A-Rod was the better choice last year, and if you luck at Pudge in '99, he had the better year than Jeter. Giambi was probably better than Tejada when he got his; even then, though A-Rod was better than both of 'em.

On Santana:

Yeah, Santana sure should get serious consideration...but if voting was today, Mulder's 13-3 record so far, combined with his 3.51 ERA would likely seduce the BBWAA. At this point, a good argument could be made for either Santana, Schilling, or Mulder. If Santana keeps up what he's been doing for the last couple months, though, he just might separate himself from the rest of the pack. His K rate has been outrageous.

If it was race, it certainly wouldn't be the first time... I don't know how grumpy Sheff really is...he may bristle a bit, but he's accountable and approachable by the media, and he speaks his mind. Plus, he plays his guts out, and his teammates love him...The New York Times article on last night's game revolved around Sheff hitting his 400th.

grumpiness seems to work for bonds.. why not sheff? oh, it's b/c he's a yankee. it's unfair.

I have to agree, If sheff was still on the Braves he'd be getting alot more attention. THere is an anti Yankee bias at work in the mainstream media. Also there a a boatload of Boston Red Sox fans at work for espn.