The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America reformed recently, and here’s our first press release.
INTERNET BASEBALL WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA DEBUTS WITH ALL-STAR GAME AND MID-SEASON AWARD VOTES
Los Angeles – Opening for business today in Los Angeles, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA), announces its first set of votes, naming mid-season award winners for both the American and National Leagues, and starting lineups for the All-Star Game, to be played July 14 in St. Louis.
The IBWAA was created by Howard Cole, editor of BaseballSavvy.com, to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as an alternative voice to the Base Ball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). The ultimate goal? A Hall of Fame vote.
The founding fathers of the IBWAA, who voted in the first elections, are as follows: Ed Attanssio, editor, ThisGreatGame.com; Bijan Bayne, BleacherReport.com; Kevin Braun, freelance writer and former copy editor at Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Tim Brown, YahooSports, Howard Cole, editor, BaseballSavvy.com; Tom Hoffarth, Media/General Columnist, Los Angeles Daily News; Tony Jackson, former Dodgers reporter, Los Angeles Daily News; Keith Sharon, L.A. Angels Editor, Orange County Register; David Pinto, owner/author, BaseballMusings.com; and Gary Warner, Travel Editor, Orange County Register.
Here’s how the vote turned out:
American League All-Star Game Starting Lineup:
First Base: Justin Morneeau
Second Base: Aaron Hill
Shortstop: Derek Jeter
Third Base: Evan Longoria
Catcher: Joe Mauer
Outfield: Carl Crawford
Outfield: Torii Hunter
Oufield: Ichiro Suzuki
Pitcher: Zack Greinke
American League Mid-Season Awards:
MVP: Torii Hunter, Evan Longoria (tie).
Cy Young: Zack Greinke
ROY: Rick Porcello
Manager: Jim Leyland
Executive: Dave Dombrowski
National League All-Star Game Starting Lineup:
First Base: Albert Pujols
Second Base: Chase Utley
Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez
Third Base: David Wright
Catcher: Brian McCann
Outfield: Raul Ibanez
Outfield: Ryan Braun
Outfield: Carlos Beltran
Pitcher: Tim Lincecum
National League Mid-Season Awards:
MVP: Albert Pujols
Cy Young: Tim Lincecum
ROY: Andrew McCutchen
Manager: Joe Torre
Executive: Ned Colletti
Players receiving unanimous All-Star Game votes include Ryan Braun, Torii Hunter, Derek Jeter, Evan Longoria and Albert Pujols.
Zack Grienke received unanimous support for AL Cy, getting all but one vote as starting pitcher, with Roy Halladay receiving the other.
Manny Ramirez did not receive a single vote in any category.
Association memberships are open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a yearly membership of $10.
For more information on the IBWAA, please visit the temporary webpage here, http://www.baseballsavvy.com/internetbaseballwriters.html. In the coming months, the IBWAA can be found at www.InternetBaseballWriters.com. Howard Cole can be reached at baseballsavvy@aol.com, and at 818-425-2168.
This is a cool idea/ thing that is happening… but the ultimate goal of getting a HOF vote will never be accomplished with the only requirements to join are to be an “internet baseball writer” and pay a $10 fee. Heck, I write weekly columns for my fantasy baseball league that focuses solely on the real-life aspect of the game. That makes me an internet baseball writer. With a $10 payment I could be a part of this and I will be the first to say I don’t belong anywhere near a Hall of Fame vote.
Bloggers are fun to read. I love sites like Deadspin, Yanksfan/Soxfan, Razzball.com (fantasy baseball blog, humorous more than informative though)… but I’m not sure if the owners/contributors to this site should be classified in the same breath as writers like yourself, Tim Brown, and Bijan Bayne (the only other authors I’ve read on that list).
Until the requirements become a little more elite, I’ll hold off on my petition to allow for a vote for the group, but I sure will enjoy posts like this one.
One disagreement though… Halladay has been more consistent than Greinke and I’d give him the edge in the All-Star start AND Cy Young vote. I love a feel-good story, but this is the schedule Greinke has faced…
In WINS opposing teams’ record is a combined 7 games UNDER .500. In LOSSES opposing teams’ record is a combined THIRTY-SEVEN GAMES UNDER .500! The only “real” team he’s beaten is Detroit (twice). He hasn’t faced New York, Boston, or Tampa Bay (I smell a run for them in the second half, by the way).
Halladay, on the other hand, has beaten Detroit, New York, AND LA (hasn’t faced Boston yet) and got a ND in a 1-0 loss to ATL. For my money on ONE GAME (and remember, “this one counts”) I’m taking Halladay.
Sorry for the long “comment”
I think Casey McGehee is having a better season statistically than Andrew McCutchen. Why have you chosen Andrew as ROY rather than Casey?
@Jeff: I don’t believe I voted for McCutchen, although I’d have to check by ballot to see who I picked.