The 2012 Major League Baseball season was an exciting instalment into the never ending book of big league baseball. Boston busted, rookies shined, and the Giants won big in 2012. This was the first year that there was a all-or-nothing, wildcard game to get into the playoffs. This complicated things quite a bit, after the Oakland Athletics stole the pennant from the Rangers, who went to the wildcard play-off game and were beaten out by Tampa. So, after two consecutive years going to the World Series and losing, the Texas Rangers didn't even make it into the post-season. There were also a handful of teams who completely they busted. Philidelphia, after losing Halladay to injury, finished at .500 and third in the NL East. Back in the American League, the Boston Red Sox went through the floor under Bobby Valentine; they finished dead last in the East Division.
Now, fast forward to the post season. We had the National League, the Reds being overtaken in the Giants in five games, while the Cardinals also had to take five games to oust the Washington Nationals. Things were just as tight in the AL. The Yankees took the maximum length of series to put end to the Orioles hopes. On the other hand, the Lions took five games to stop the A's in their tracks. I initially thought that the Reds would win the series against the Giants, and I thought the Nationals had the pitching ability to overtake St. Louis.
On to the next round, I don't think anyone saw the Yankees being swept, though, they never seem to get further then the League Championship Series. It was an extremely close race between the defending Cardinals and the Giants. San-Fran eventually was able to advance over St. Louis in seven games.
On to the World Series, I was not expecting a sweep, and neither was the majority of baseball-loving America. But a sweep it was - the San Francisco Giants won their second title in three years. It's no repeat, but it is definitely a feat of note.
Now let's talk awards. Tomorrow is the announcement for Cy Young Awards, and Thursday is when the MVP award winners will be known. I think that R.A. Dickey will get the National League Cy Young, since he had multiple one-hitters and a minuscule earned run average. Justin Verlander, David Price, or Jared Weaver are deserving of the American League Cy Young Award, though I think it will go to David Price, as he personally had a remarkable year, while Verlander and Weaver both have a "another day at the office" sense to their seasons. Now let's talk MVP. Hands down, the American League MVP would be Miguel Cabrera for winning the triple crown. Thought, Mike Trout is definitely a candidate. The national league is another story though. Yadier Molina or Ryan Braun could definitely have a chance at getting the MVP, but if it were up to me, I think that R.A. Dickey is the most deserving.
The previous baseball season was a hit, and baseball fans can only hope for 2013 to be just like 2012.
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