Nelson Cruz Wins ALCS MVP!

by Ray Guilfoyle on Oct 16, 2011 8:54 AM EDT in Baseball

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 15: Nelson Cruz #17 of the Texas Rangers holds the AL championship series Most Valuable Player Award after defeating the Detroit Tigers in Game Six of the American League Championship Series 15-5 to advance to the World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 15, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz went 2-4 with a HR, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI last night and was named the MVP of the ALCS. Cruz hit .364-.440-1.273 in the series with 6 HRs and 13 RBI. This from ESPN:

Powering the way for the Rangers was ALCS MVPNelson Cruz who hit his sixth home run of the series in the win. His six home runs are the most by a player in any postseason series.

Cruz also added 13 RBI, alsothe most by a player in a postseason series in MLB history. Bobby Richardson had 12 RBI for the Yankees in the 1960 World Series for the Yankees; John Valentin had 12 RBI in the 1999 ALDS for the Red Sox.

For his career, Cruz now has 12 HRs and 24 RBI in 26 postseason games in the last two years, with a triple slash line of .289-.330-.753. With a World Series similar to his ALCS, Cruz could move up the postseason All-time Home Run list, passing such greats as Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Babe Ruth, who have accomplished their home run totals in more postseason at bats.

Home Runs

Rank	Player	HR	PA
1.	Manny Ramirez	29	493
2.	Bernie Williams	22	545
3.	Derek Jeter	20	704
4.	Reggie Jackson	18	318
	Mickey Mantle	18	273
6.	Jim Thome	17	251
7.	Babe Ruth	15	167
8.	David Justice	14	471
	Albert Pujols	14	283
10.	Chipper Jones	13	412
	Alex Rodriguez	13	299
	Jim Edmonds	13	263
	Jayson Werth	13	182

I was reading Keith Law's twitter page this morning, and came across this funny line:

keithlaw keithlaw

They tried to give Nelson Cruz the ALCS MVP award but he accidentally hit it over the fence

I am curious how Tony LaRussa or Ron Roenicke will pitch Cruz should they make the World Series. I can see them pitching to him early in the series, but if he stays hot, he will be pitched around with men on base, or when they are losing.

We just watch a historical performance from an unlikely hitter, a hitter who spent 8 years in the minors before making it in the big leagues.

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