Monopolizing Awards

The postseason were born in the big leagues as a result of a reconciliation. It happened that when the American league was born in 1901, the National League perceived them as intruders, denying them recognition and quality. However, when they scanned the horizon, they understood the benefits offered by the expansion of the activity, which is why they decided to reach an agreement that was sealed with holding a series between the champion teams of each circuit to certify a unique champion. Thus was born the World Series.

From 1903 to 1968 that event constituted the postseason. Starting in 1969, with the second expansion of the century, both leagues were divided into two divisions, thus beginning the championship series that were later expanded with the division series, recently adding the wild card game. The success of the system has been undeniable, even when the sports component has been affected. In a sport like baseball, the best does not always win, especially in short series, and it has often happened that the top winners during the long regular season do not reach the end. This year has been a remarkable example of that.

Starting in 1955, a Most Valuable Player award began to be awarded to the one who stood out the most in the concluding event and from 1977 and 1980, respectively, the best of the Championship Series were also included. In this sense, a shocking event occurred in 2004. Dominicans won the award in each of the three events.

In the National, the offense deployed by Albert Pujols was decisive for the Cardinals to surpass the Astros. He hit four home runs in seven games. In the American, the Red Sox, recovering from a 0-3, snatched the flag from the Yankees with the support of David Ortiz’s bat, who produced eleven touchdowns with three homers. In the World Series in which Boston swept St. Louis the award went to Manny Ramírez; to his usual effective offense he added in the third game an important defensive play by completing a double play with an accurate shot from left field to the plate, putting out a significant rebellion of his opponents.

That year the Dominicans monopolized the award.

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