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by http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/vi ... p?t=116645
Some idiot wrote:Tigers' Jones deserves shot at Cy Young
August 11, 2006
A couple of years ago, an editor at Sporting News thought it would be cool to have Todd Jones tag along with me at the national championship game. Todd's a huge college football fan, and his team (Auburn) had gotten hosed out of the game.
It was that day when I realized there really are human beings that play baseball.
Baseball is unlike any other professional sport. A majority of the players never went to college and were tossed into a business at the age of 17 or 18 and forced to sink or swim -- socially, that is. I'm telling you right now, major league baseball is a haven for social misfits. Guys who just don't get it.
Not Todd Jones.
I've never met a more humble, genuine pro athlete. A true good guy. Midway through the USC-Oklahoma national title game, I kept looking over at Todd because, well, USC led 2,258-0 and I wanted to watch his reactions. He was just like any other fan: in awe of the situation and just happy to be there (although, I'm sure somewhere, he was thinking, at least Aubie would only be down 27-0 at half).
Why do I bring this up? Because the other day I was watching baseball highlights and saw Jones mow down yet another team in another comeback situation. He leads the majors in saves, and plays for the team (Detroit) with the best record in baseball -- and the best story in baseball.
There's still a month and a half to go in the regular season, but if Jones continues to lead the league in saves -- and considering there is all of three pitchers with an ERA under 3.00 in both leagues -- give him the Cy Young Award.
I don't care about Francisco Liriano or Jones' teammate Justin Verlander. Or the argument that relievers don't do enough (compared to starters) to earn the award. Ask the Yankees how important a reliever is.
I'm pulling for Jonsey.
Here's hoping he doesn't get hosed like Auburn.
