Hip, Hip, Jorge!

Posada is a borderline Hall of Fame candidate
 and one of the greatest hitting catchers
in history.

A year after New York Yankees great Andy Pettitte decided to call it a career, Jorge Posada has followed suit, leaving the "Core Four" to a perfect pair.

After months of speculation about his future, it has been reported rather than put on a different uniform for the first time in his career, Posada will indeed announce his retirement in the coming weeks.

Posada, 40, was drafted by the Yankees in the 24th round of the 1990 amateur draft as a second baseman, but made the transition to catcher, a decision he wouldn't regret. The Puerto Rican native made his Major League debut on Sept. 4, 1995 and made the postseason roster, where he appeared in one game as a pinch-runner.

The following year, the switch-hitting catcher appeared briefly during the 1996 season, but did not participate in New York's first World Series run, starting in the mid-1990s.

After serving as current-New York manager Joe Girardi's backup in 1997, Posada became a fixture and invaluable member in the Yankee lineup in 1998.

That season Posada was on the receiving end of the fifteenth perfect game in Major League history, catching lefty David Wells' perfecto on May 17. He batted .268 with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs that season, playing in a 100-plus games for the first time in his career.

That was the year New York won their first of three consecutive World Series titles with Posada behind the dish.

In 2001, Posada was the recipient of Derek Jeter's incredibly famous flip play that prevented the tying run from scoring in Game 3 of the ALDS with New York facing elimination and a 2-0 series deficit. However, it was Posada's fifth inning home run off future Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito that gave his team the lead and enabled them to win, 1-0, and eventually make their fourth straight Fall Classic appearance.

The Yankee backstop would finished third in the American League Most Valuable Player voting in 2003 after batting .283 and setting career-highs in home runs (30) and RBIs (101).

Posada's best year came at the young age of 35. In 2007, he batted .338 and set a career-high with 171 hits. He was rewarded with a four-year $52.4 million contract extension, but missed most of the final season at the Old Yankee Stadium after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in July.

In 2009, Posada got his last taste as a champion. In the team's 15 postseason games that season, Posada batted .260 with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs. Both of Posada's home runs either tied the game or gave New York the lead.

The following year he became the first Yankee in history to hit back-to-back grand slams on consecutive days since another New York catching great, Bill Dickey, did so in 1937.

A month later he knocked in the 1,000 run of his career, becoming one of five catchers in Major League history to total 200 home runs, 300 doubles, 1,000 RBIs and 1,500 hits from behind the plates.

After being stripped of his catching duties prior to the start of this past season and moved to a full-time designated hitter role, Posada's season was full of controversy. After getting off to a slow start, Posada pulled himself out of the starting lineup in a Sunday night game at Fenway Park after being dropped to ninth in the batting order.

He and Yankee brass would settle their differences and move forward, knowing they needed one another.

Posada's season highlight came on Sept. 21, 2011 when he was called upon to pinch-hit, in a tie game with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning. The longtime catcher delivered a two-run single, capturing the franchise's seventeenth AL East title. After finishing the year with a .235 batting average, 14 home runs and 44 RBIs, he enjoyed one of his greatest postseason series of his career.

In New York's five-game first-round series with the Detroit Tigers, Posada batted .429 with an on-base percentage of .579. Following the team's Game 5 loss, Posada was asked about his future, where he began to tear up and had to step away from his locker.

He finishes his career as a .273 career hitter, .374 on-base percentage, with 275 home runs, 1,065 RBI and 1,664 hits.

A 5-time All-Star, Silver Slugger and World Series champion, Posada leaves New York as one of the most successful offensive players in franchise history, ranking in the top ten of numerous categories. He ranks 10th in total bases (2,888), ninth in extra-base hits (664), 8th in home runs and games players (1,829), 7th in doubles (379) and 4th in intentional walks (78).

His 1,574 career games behind the plate ranks him third in franchise history behind Dickey's 1709 and Yogi Berra's 1692. But his 119 postseason games behind the plate rank first all-time.

One of the proudest Yankees in history, Posada was a leader throughout his 17-year career and considered it a privilege, honor and a huge responsibility to catch for the New York Yankees.

And the Award Goes To: American League Predictions

The 2011 Major League Baseball season saw so many great players elevate their game to the next level, making handing out this year's major awards all the more difficult.

American League Most Valuable Player: Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS
In what should be one of the closest votes in the Award's eighty-year history, Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury should be this year's AL MVP. After missing most of the 2010 season due to an injury and playing only in 18 games, Ellsbury came back with vengeance. The 28-year-old outfielder not only became the most productive and best all around player in the Boston lineup, but one of the best in majors.

Ellsbury turned into a superstar center fielder
 in 2011.

Playing his usual Gold Glove caliber defense, Ellsbury's bat swung to new heights. The speedy leadoff hitter turned into a prolific power threat, hitting a career-high 32 home runs, nearly quadrupling his previous career high. Prior to the '11 season, Ellsbury had only totaled as many as 9 home runs in a single-season, that coming back in 2008.

In only 349 career games before '11, Ellsbury had only hit 20 career home runs, a number he nearly doubled this season.

To go along with his power, the center fielder lead the majors in total bases (364) and extra-base hits (83). He also was in the top five in hits (212), doubles (46) and runs (119). Not to mention the fact Ellsbury climbed into the top ten in RBIs (105), steals (39), average (.321), slugging percentage (.552) and on-base plus slugging (.928).

Ellsbury looked to be the clear cut favorite for this year's honor after it was a toss up most of the season, that was until his team took a nose dive in the season's final month. The Red Sox completed the worst September collapse in baseball history, blowing a nine-game wild card lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, missing the postseason for the second straight season. Despite his Sox finishing 7-20 record in September and completely floundering, Ellsbury flourished in the season's final weeks.

He hit .358 in September with 8 home runs and 21 RBIs, three of those home runs coming in a doubleheader against the New York Yankees, Sept. 26. He also recorded 43 hits that month, the most he had recorded of any month during the season.

There has been much speculation that Detroit's Justin Verlander, who is the favorite to win his first Cy Young Award, might become the 11th pitcher in major league history to win both the MVP and Cy Young in the same season. No pitcher has accomplished that feat since Oakland Athletics' closer, Dennis Eckersley, took home both honors in 1992 and don't expect it too happen again anytime soon.

Verlander started 34 game for the Tigers this season, which means he only had a hand in 34 of the 162 games Detroit played in during the regular season. There's no question if you take away Verlander's 24 wins from the Tigers' 95, they are not a playoff team. However, how can a pitcher be more valuable to a team than an everyday player, such as Miguel Cabrera, who won the AL batting title at a .344 clip, or Victor Martinez, who led the majors with a .394 average with RISP.

How can a player be deemed the most valuable player in the AL, if he might not be the most valuable to his team?

Toronto's Jose Bautista put together a case of his own after leading the majors in home runs (43) for the second straight year, also leading in slugging percentage (.608), on-base plus slugging (1.056) and base-on-balls (138). New York's Curtis Granderson and Boston's Adrian Gonzalez also put up fantastic campaigns, but don't edge out Ellsbury. Despite Granderson hitting a career-high 41 home runs, driving in an AL best 119 runs and leading the majors in runs scored with 136, his .262 average and opportunity to hit in arguably the best lineup in baseball hurts his chances.

With his 32 home runs and 39 stolen bases, Ellsbury joined the 30-30 club this season and was honored with the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award Thursday. He could add another trophy to his rapidly growing cabinet when the AL MVP is announced Monday, Nov. 21.

American League Cy Young: Justin Verlander, DET
There have been a total of 21 unanimous Cy Young Award winners since the award's inception in 1956, 13 from the National League and 8 from the American League. The last pitcher to win the award unanimously in either league came as recent as last year when Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay won in his first year in the National League. He also become the fifth pitcher in major league history to win the award both in the AL and NL.

Detroit's Justin Verlander should become the 22nd pitcher in baseball history to be named the Cy Young Award winner unanimously. The four-time All-Star went 24-5 for Jim Leyland's Tigers and tossed his second career no-hitter in '11. Verlander is the first pitcher to win 24 games in a single-season since five-time Cy Young Award winner, Randy Johnson, won 24 back in 2002 while pitching for the then-defending World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks and went on to win what would be his final Cy Young.

Verlander drenched by his teammates after
his no-hitter May 3 in Toronto.

Verlander started the off rather slow, going 2-3 in his first 7 starts, but after throwing his no-hitter on May 7 against the Blue Jays, the right-hander went 22-2 in his final 27 starts of the season and almost inevitably ensuring his first career Cy Young.

Along with his major league best 24 wins, the Tiger's ace lead the AL in strikeouts (250) and ERA (2.40), winning the AL pitching Triple Crown. All that being said many believe Verlander is the front-runner to also come away with the AL MVP honors as well, but that simply should not be the case.

Not even the spectacular season of that Verlander put together deserves that honor. Johnson's '02 season couldn't even capture him both honors and believe it or not his numbers were even better than Verlander's. That season to go along with his 24-5 record, Johnson threw 260 innings, the second most of his career, and posted a career-low 2.32 ERA. He led the majors in strikeouts with 334 and tossed 8 complete games, four of those were shutouts.

Not to mention the fact Johnson pitched in the midst of the steroid era while playing in the same league as slugger Barry Bonds, who was fresh off his record-breaking 73 home run season.

Compare those to Verlander's '11 numbers, that also consisted of 251 innings with 4 complete games and 2 shutouts. Johnson would not finish the top five in the NL MVP voting, finishing seventh, that season.

There is no question Verlander should this year's unanimous selection for the AL Cy Young, but as for  the MVP, not so much.

American League Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Hellickson, TB
In another tough decision, the Rays Jeremy Hellickson seemed to stand out the most of any other first-year AL player. Hellickson helped orchestrate Tampa Bay's improbable September comeback, going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA in his 29 starts this season. The rookie right-hander got his first taste of the big leagues last season, tossing 36.1 innings in 4 starts and 10 total appearances.

Still eligible for the award, Hellickson could be the second Rays player to win the honor in the last four years. All-Star Evan Longoria was the first, being named the AL ROY in 2008.

Hellickson was among not only one of the best
rookie pitchers, but best in the majors
in '11.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Mark Trumbo was a close second. The 25-year-old slugger batted .254, but his pop and overwhelming offensive contributions are what drove this Angels offense most of the regular season.

Trumbo's 29 home runs and 87 RBIs led the team, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to lead in both those categories.

The Anaheim native also came two home runs shy of tying Tim Salmon's rookie franchise record of 31 set back in 1993. Trumbo also added two crucial walk-off home runs during the season to keep Los Angeles in contention. Without the welcoming surprise of his bat, the Angels could have been playing meaningless games as early as July.

New York's Ivan Nova also gave a later surge, winning 16 games and posting a 3.70 ERA. If not for being sent down in early July to make room for Phil Hughes in the rotation, Nova might have won a lot more games. That being said, his ERA was a bit high and benefited from some of the best run support in the majors.

Another one of Joe Maddon's rookies burst onto the scene and played a pivotal part to their late season surge. Desmond Jennings played in only 63 games this season, but filled in nicely for the departed Carl Crawford. Jennings hit .259 with 10 home runs and stole 20 bases for the Rays and if he would have been called up sooner, we might be talking about him instead of his fellow teammate.

Despite Hellickson having a record hovering around .500, the right-hander saw his offense average only 6.43 runs per game in his starts. That's nothing compared to Nova's 8.82 per game which was second in the majors.

American League Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon, TB
Three months ago if you would have said the Tampa Bay Rays were headed to the postseason, you would have been called crazy. Manager Joe Maddon didn't think so, with his unorthodox methods and never say die attitude, he lead his team to their second straight playoff appearance and third in four years.

Nine games back of the wild card as late as Sept. 3, the Rays came all the way back and capped off their magical run with an unbelievable walk-off win in the final game of the regular season that launched them into the postseason. Maddon was the architect of this club and with the departures Crawford, Carlos Pena, Rafael Soriano, and Joaquin Benoit, he saw his team win 91 games, good enough for second in the AL East, after they were pronounced dead before the season even started.

Maddon never let his team quit and the
end result was a wild card berth.

Cleveland's Manny Acta had the Indians in first-place most of the first half, but the Tribe trailed off after the All-Star break and settled for second in the division at 80-82, 15 games behind the AL Central champion Tigers.

Mike Scioscia kept the Angels in contention most of the season and may be the best manager he baseball when it comes to getting the most out of his players.

Maddon, who at one time was Scioscia's bench coach, is a close second in that regard, but should be this year's AL Manager of the Year.

A-Rod To Have Monster Season

A-Rod hopes to celebrate his
 second World Series title in
2011 rather than his fourth
MVP.

It's 2011. Which means New York Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez will have a monster campaign.

Dating back to 2003, Rodriguez won his first American League Most Valuable Player Award with the Texas Rangers. Months later he would be shipped to New York for second baseman Alfonso Soriano. He would continue the tradition in the Big Apple by winning his second MVP award in 2005.

Then in 2007, Rodriguez set the record for most home runs hit by a Yankee right-handed hitter with 54 long balls, capturing his most recent AL MVP.

Despite Rodriguez did not bring home his fourth MVP Award home in 2009, he did however, exercise his postseason demons, blasting six home runs and winning his first career World Series title, something he would say trumps any individual accolade.

A-Rod has recorded a Major League record 13 straight 30 home run, 100 RBI seasons, but has been able to reach 40 since '07. That may be due to the injury factor and Rodriguez having hip surgery prior to the start of '09 season. The 13-time All-Star says he is healthy and ready to get back to his full workout regime, something he has been unable to do the last two seasons, still feeling the effects of the surgery.

Rodriguez seems to be in a different place mentally after admitting to the usage of performance-enhancing drugs and having success in the postseason the last two seasons. Now, with him finally fully recovered the Yankees can expect a huge year from Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is coming off a great spring, driving the ball with authority. He hit .388 with six home runs and drove in 15 runs.

If the pattern continues A-Rod will either win his fourth career MVP Award in his decorated career or the Yankees will raise their 28th World Series Trophy in franchise history, either way it's an odd year and can expect another great year from the Yankee third baseman.

A-Gon for MVP

The Boston Red Sox added another potent bat to their already dangerous lineup, trading for first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez. With this move to Beantown, he might be the front-runner for the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 2011.

Gonzalez is a former first overall pick by the Florida Marlins back in 2000 and one of the few that has lived up to his potential at the Major League level. A San Diego native, Gonzalez has played the last five seasons of his career with the San Diego Padres, becoming a two-time All-Star and  two-time Gold Glove winner in the process. Gonzalez has averaged 32 home runs in his five seasons in San Diego, hitting as many as 40 in a single-season.

All smiles in Beantown this offseason.

The Red Sox traded for Gonzalez, 28, seemingly right in the prime of his career and with his best baseball still in front of him. Leaving Petco Park might be just what the doctor ordered for Gonzalez, to push him over the edge for his first MVP Award in '11.  Gonzalez will be the centerpiece to an offense that all already includes the likes of Carl Crawford, 2008 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia and David 'Big Papi' Ortiz.

Since opening in 2004, Petco has been known as being a spacious pitchers park around Major League Baseball. The Fenway faithful might as well be the complete opposite, with a short right field porch and 37-foot wall in left field known as, the Green Monster.

Gonzalez is not your prototypical left-handed hitter, being know to spread the ball around the diamond. You can be sure that Gonzalez's numbers will go up in Fenway Park this season by him peppering that wall in left field.

With added protection behind him, something he never had during in time in San Diego, that might just launch Gonzalez to his first MVP Award.