Despite better numbers and no Prince Fielder in the lineup Ryan Braun could not convince voters to award him a second straight MVP award last night. Buster Posey of the World Champion Giants took home the honor. Posey recieved 27 of 32 first place votes after leading the league in batting average at 336 with 24 homers and 103 rbi's. He is also a catcher...the first one in the National League to win an MVP since Johnny Bench in 1972. Posey is certainly deserving but Braun had better numbers in many categories. Unfortunatley he had two things working against him. His team didnt make the playoffs...and the cloud of suspicion that still hangs over him after the positive test for PEDS. Even his exoneration is viewed as getting off on a technicality by some voters. It was too much to overcome.

Miguel Cabrera won the AL MVP in a victory for traditionalists over the Sabermetric crowd. Cabrera won the Triple Crown and his offensive numbers were enough in some voters eyes to overcome the awesome rookie season of Mike Trout who many of the stat heads thought should have won. He had better numbers in the newer more esoteric stats and also played a tougher posititon for also bringing more speed to the table as well.

I'm looking forward to tomorrows Badger-Ohio State game. Even though Bucky is already in the Big Ten title game due to a team suspension you know that the crowd will be fired up to knock off the undefeated Buckeyes and prove that they belong in a discussion of the top teams in the country...plus Urban Meyer is kind of a tool.

I hope everybody has a safe and successful hunt. As the Sgt used to say on Hill Street Blues..."Be careful out there".

Songs of The Day  (from my I-pod)

Lay Me Down-Crosby/Nash (2004) this is the first track on the double LP from David & Graham that was their first recorded collaboration since the 70's. This stunning tune was written by James Raymond (Crosby's son and their band's keyboard player). They played the Grand Theater on this tour and I was in the 3rd row..it was awesome!

Layla-Derek & The Dominoes(1970) We all know the story by now that Clapton wrtoe this about George Harrison's then wife Patti Boyd (who later became Mrs. Clapton) but I think the better story is that this started out as a ballad until Duane Allman signed on to the band and then of course became one of the great guitar duels in rock history.