Talk to the Fist(er)

July 7, 2011. That date was this year's MLB trading deadline. At the time, three teams were embroiled in a tight race for the AL's Central division title.

My hometeam, the Detroit Tigers were allegedly in talks with acquiring Rockies ace and 2010 stud, Ubaldo Jimenez, and I crossed my fingers we could pull it off.

Fate had the upstart Cleveland Indians landing him and I could already see the storyline of how the Tigers could've gotten the complimentary ace to Verlander that could eventually put us over the top.

Instead of Jimenez, the Tigers quietly and humbly took in a relatively unknown pitcher from the lowly and cellar dwelling Seattle Mariners named Doug Fister.

At first glance, Fister's name/stats/reputation is unassuming and to me the whole move was a kin to Danny Glover receiving Celie instead of Celie's sister in "The Color Purple."

Well we all know how well Celie turned out, and Fister had a Celie-esque type year for the Tigers.

His 3-12 record was the equivalent of Celie not being able to read but since his Tiger acquirement, Fister has read opposing batters very well, posting a resurrecting 8-1 record in Detroit to improve to 11-13.

What seemed as just a novelty and vain move to pacify Tigers fans (i.e. management making an effort) has materialized into the trade deadline move of the year.

I've seen the tall (6'8") pitcher's stats improve as the proof is in the boxscore pudding. He's consistently put up high strikeout to walk numbers, and if you get 4-6 hits off of him, you had a good day. His m.o. coming to Detroit wasn't that of a power pitcher, but he's rallied several 7, or 8 punchout games.

Fister and the Tigers overall have a tough test against the Yankees. Everybody who knows me knows I love the Tigers and Yankees, and the Yanks lineup is nothing to sneeze at.

Yet I still have faith in the Tigers with that said, and Doug Fister will be a big part of that. He's a legitimate #1 starter in a #2 role. At the end of this series however, Detroit will be in on the winning podium like the '68 Olympics throwing up their Fists, Tiger style, no panther.

What does MVP mean? (Mostly Verlander, Player)

Detroit fans, is this a dream? Are we in heaven? Can you remember the last time you woke up on a Monday feeling good because both the Wolverines and Lions won, let alone undefeated?

Right now it's cool to be from the Motor City. You know it's good times in "The D" when the Tigers are somewhat on the back-burner, and they're fresh off their first division title since 1987.

And speaking of the Tigers, at this point, the most obvious prediction and worst kept secret in Major League Baseball is that Tigers starting ace Justin Verlander will win the 2011 AL Cy Young Award. But my question is, does he belong to be MVP?

To respond to this question objectively, this is where I'll remove my Detroit based/biased lens (wood-grained Cartiers, of course) and examine the facts carefully, which should effectively render a fair and honest answer.

THE FACTS:

-Verlander is 14-0 this year following a Tigers loss. (Loss prevention).

-Verlander has won 12 games in a row, longest streak in club history since 1946; longest AL streak since 2004

-24 wins are the most in MLB since '02, a 25th win would equal most wins since 1990 (Bob Welch was 27-6)

-Has the "Triple Crown" in MLB (Wins title/Strike out title/E.R.A title)

-Threw his second career no-hitter

THE COMPETITION

I'm hearing the argument that Verlander doesn't belong to win the MVP this year because he doesn't play everyday.

That maybe true, but Verlander has the "it" factor and has been the most DOMINANT player by far this year, position players included. Look across the board this year of his MVP competition and analyze or compare the stats.

As we enter a pitcher-friendly stage in baseball, in an alleged "steroid free" era, Verlander's stats are equivalent to a 70 home-run season for a positional player. Contrastly, the everyday player's stats are borderline vanilla.

I give credit to Joey Bautista. He's proving that his breakout season last year wasn't a one hit wonder, but when the current HR leader faced Justin Verlander on my mom's birthday, April 22, he was a part of a no-hitter. So how can Bautista be awarded the MVP when he can't get one hit off of my candidate?

Adrian Gonzales is simmering down and his power number aren't there, Jacoby Ellsbury is having a breakout season but shouldn't be awarded the MVP for having an improved year, and the same thing can be said for former Tiger Curtis Granderson.

If anything I believe Miguel Cabrera should be garnering more consideration. He's two points away from winning the AL batting title, he always hits for power, and he's on a team that won it's division before any team in baseball with the biggest lead. But I digress on Miggy, this is for Verlander.

The last pitcher to win MVP in the AL was Dennis Eckersley, a relief pitcher, in 1992. The last pitcher to win the Cy Young Award was Eric Gagne in 2002. With that logic, I say award Justin Verlander the MVP and give Jose Valverde the Cy Young (leads the league in saves with 46, with 0 blown). But then again, my Cartiers were on for that vision.