Rivera Did Not Deserve All Star MVP

There is no question about Mariano Rivera’s greatness. How great can be discussed another time. However, a pitcher who pitched one shutout inning with his team ahead (3-0) does not deserve the MVP award.

Sooner or later, another pitcher will also pitch one scoreless inning with a lead. Will he be the star of that game? I do not think so.

I have little faith in Hall of Fame voting and in the sports media in general. Last night was another example why I feel that way.

In fairness, there was no obvious choice for game MVP last night. Chicago White Sox hurler Chris Sale pitched two perfect innings with the game tied. Again Rivera, obviously a sentimental choice based on his great career, pitched one scoreless inning ahead (3-0).

Miguel Cabrera set up the game’s first run with a leadoff double. He certainly has established himself as a star. Sale with two perfect innings while the game was tied would have won the award had it not been for the Rivera sentiment.

While one can see the sentiment in picking Rivera, it does slightly tarnish the award. Clearly, if anyone else did what Rivera did in the game, they would not have been considered for MVP.