The AL MVP: How Verlander finished seventh in the IBWAA poll, and Granderson was first

Some voted Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander first in the AL MVP voting by the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. Some left him off the top 10 all together.

How can that happen?

Perhaps, because more felt that New York Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson deserved it more; thus, he's the winner on this final list:

1st Place: Curtis Granderson, N.Y. Yankees
2nd Place: Adrian Gonzalez, Boston
3rd Place: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston
4th Place: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit
5th Place: Robinson Cano, N. Y. Yankees
6th Place: Jose Bautista, Toronto
7th Place: Justin Verlander, Detroit
8th Place: Michael Young, Texas
9th Place: Dustin Pedroia, Boston
10th Place: Adrian Beltre, Texas

My ballot had Gonzalez first, with Granderson second, followed by Bautista, Verlander, Ellsbury, Cano, Cabrera, Young, Kansas City's Melky Cabrera,, and Beltre.

Interesting how former Tigers teammates Granderson and Verlander are tied together here, facing each other now in the ALDS, with Verlander, the probably AL Cy Young Award winner who pitched a no-hitter on May 7, throwing tonight. Even more interesting how Granderson came to the Yankees in the offseason in a three-team trade that sent now-NL Cy Young candidate Ian Kennedy from the Yankees to Arizona through Detroit, and Arizona sending starting pitcher Max Scherzer, who won Game 2 for the Tigers on Sunday, and reliever Daniel Schlereth to Detroit. As a result, the Yankees let go of Johnny Damon, now part of the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Rays.

Times' baseball writer and IBWAA member Kevin Baxter, explains his Granderson vote: "There was not a more complete player in the American League than Curtis Granderson. Certainly the Yankees' deep lineup provided him protection but from runs scored to home runs, from total bases to stolen bases, Granderson was near the top of every list. And almost forgotten is the fact he solidified the Yankee defense by playing an excellent center field."

David Pinto of BaseballMusings.com, having voted differently, shares this perspective: "Justin Verlander turned in a memorable season, with his win total being his least impressive accomplishment. His ability to go deep in games while maintaining velocity, and holding opponents to a .191 BA despite an average defense made him the outstanding player of 2011 in the American League."

The IBWAA Cy Young results will be announced Wednesday and Friday, with Rookie, Manager, Comeback, Executive and Relievers of the Year to follow. More info: http://www.baseballsavvy.com/internetbaseballwriters.html