Rod Carew Award

[Seth Stohs]

Before tonight's All Star Game, MLB announced that Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn have been honored with an award.

 

From this time forward, the American League batting average leader will win the Rod Carew Award. The same award in the National League for Gwynn.

 

Very appropriate! Special!

[Craig Arko]

Excellent choices both.

[Pius Jefferson]

I like advanced numbers but miss when winning a batting title was a big deal. 

[twinsnorth49]

Good stuff.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I like advanced numbers but miss when winning a batting title was a big deal. 

 

It's still a very big deal, and should be... I like giving a name to it.

[TFelton]

Appropriate. Carew was a Dude.

[DaveW]

Overdue, but well done MLB!

[Pius Jefferson]

 

It's still a very big deal, and should be... I like giving a name to it.

 

 

Big deal in how it's covered by the national baseball press. I don't think it's in the same ballpark of when being a batting champion was a big story. Now it feels like the winners are mentioned without any fanfare the last day of the season.

[h2oface]

It is not the "Rod Carew Award", it is officially the "Rod Carew American League Batting Title", and the winner of it would be the "Rod Carew American League Batting Champion".

 

I think tacking on additional names is tacky. Same as sponsors buying the name of venues and stadiums. Tacky with money. Unnecessary, superficial, and tacky.

[Longdistancetwins]

 

It is not the "Rod Carew Award", it is officially the "Rod Carew American League Batting Title", and the winner of it would be the "Rod Carew American League Batting Champion".

I think tacking on additional names is tacky. Same as sponsors buying the name of venues and stadiums. Tacky with money. Unnecessary, superficial, and tacky.

I rather agree, but suddenly seeing Sir Rodney and old clips of him last night at the All Star Game was certainly a pleasant surprise.  I was in a NYC  bar for my weekly trivia game, figuring I wouldn't have to tune into the game until later.  Instead I was pointing all this out to everyone around me and explaining how it has been a hard road back for Carew. 

[OldTimeTwinkie]

I for one would not have attached a name to an award but if I did is Ted Williams not the one who should be on there?

[bluechipper]

 

I for one would not have attached a name to an award but if I did is Ted Williams not the one who should be on there?

Rod Carew has one more batting title than Williams.

[OldTimeTwinkie]

Then Ty Cobb should be it.

[stringer bell]

I have zero problem with an award named after a Hall of Fame player, I would have a problem if it were the Dunkin' Doughnuts or match.com award or some such. Carew and Gwynn were the best "singles hitters" of their era, roughly contemporaries and both are minorities. Tony is deceased and Rod's health is fragile, to say the least. Five years ago might have been better, but still fitting titles for a batting championship.

[Craig Arko]

 

I have zero problem with an award named after a Hall of Fame player, I would have a problem if it were the Dunkin' Doughnuts or match.com award or some such. Carew and Gwynn were the best "singles hitters" of their era, roughly contemporaries and both are minorities. Tony is deceased and Rod's health is fragile, to say the least. Five years ago might have been better, but still fitting titles for a batting championship.

The Viagra American League Batting Title. I don't know, that has a nice ring to it.

 

Although if you have a hitting streak that lasts more than four hours...

[puckstopper1]

As you can see from my signature line and profile icon, I have NO issues with this.  Well deserved for both players.

[Dr. Evil]

I like it! Batting titles need the same coverage as they used to get.

[Champuckett]

 

Then Ty Cobb should be it.

 

This.  Not to take anything away from Carew, he is a legend no doubt, but Ty Cobb won an astonishing 5 more batting titles than Carew and 4 more than Gwynn with a grand total of 12 batting titles.  No one else is even close.  

 

It is obvious that the MLB still hates Cobb and the racist label still attached to him.  Aggressive players like Cobb and Rose are continually shafted by the MLB at every corner, as they value player personality and attitude over player productivity.  The decision makes this crystal clear.

[Riverbrian]

I love it!!!

 

Rod Carew was my baseball hero growing up. I'm honored that he is being honored. So much so... that I almost feel like I'm a part of it. #29 meant that much to me. 

 

Rod Carew is probably the main reason that I have become baseball obsessed. 

 

Although... I still blame him for ruining my age 13 baseball year because I was trying to copy his batting stance and it didn't really work out. 

 

I hit much better when I changed to John Castino style instead. 

 

 

[AlwaysinModeration]

Good for Rod Carew!

 

It's going to feel a bit awkward when they name the Bonds and ARod HR champs though...

[spinowner]

At first blush I thought naming the awards and choosing these two players was a great gesture. Now I have changed my mind. I think it's impossible to choose one player from each league who stands so far above all others that something like this should carry his name.