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The American League MVP run in the shortened 60-game 2020 season went to a pair of sluggers named AL Central’s Jose (and third-place DJ LeMahieu). Here’s why Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu edged out Cleveland Indians infielder Jose Ramirez for the AL’s highest individual honor.
The number that says it best
60. RBIs might not carry as much weight with MVP voters as they once did, but Abreu’s 60 points in a 60-game season demonstrates the kind of impact he’s had in the middle of the game. Chicago’s mighty lineup – the most the team’s first 60 games of a season since Miguel Cabrera led 67 in 2013.
Abreu’s MVP is kind of an old-fashioned victory as he paced the AL in the RBI and was second in home runs and fourth in batting average, while Ramirez led the American League to WAR (3.4 against 2.6 from Abreu, according to Fangraphs’ formula) by a healthy margin. But for those who don’t care about the Triple Crown numbers, Abreu’s added probability of winning was also the highest of the three AL finalists.
A deeper dive
Abreu can thank his performance with the riders on base for winning him his first MVP Award. In 120 at-bats with runners, Abreu took his game to another level hitting .333 with 48 RBIs.
Historical context
Abreu becomes the fourth White Sox player to win an MVP award and the third first baseman to do so. The last MVP on the South Side was Frank Thomas, who won back-to-back awards in 1993-94, and before that, Dick Allen won in 1972.
Signature performance
The day after his 22-game streak ended, Jose Abreu returned and posted his best performance of the 2020 season winning two home runs and seven points against the Detroit Tigers.
Just ask your teammate
“I’m just glad he’s on our squad because I can’t imagine how hard it is for the other pitcher to face him.” – The White Sox pitcher Reynaldo Lopez.
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