Speaking of the World Series, the often out-spoken GM DJ Collora only had one thing to say after bringing the Astros their first Championship in nearly 50 years, "I'm speechless". I don't know if I'd call him speechless but on his radio show later that evening he struggled to string comprehensible sentences together before co-host and rival Sean arrived to give things a sense of direction. I think it's sufficient to say DJ was elated to be soaked in e-champagne for the first time in his career as a GM.
So without further to do, I present to you the 2012 Houston Astro Team Awards:
Team MVP: C Taylor Teagarden - Taylor posted an elite .312/.409/.631 line with 39 HRs and 106 RBIs despite missing 3 weeks over the course of the season. He saved his best for last going .370/.414/.741 in the playoffs while smashing 6 HRs and posting 14 RBIs (4HR and 8 RBI's coming in the World Series). Clearly the leader of this team and native Texan it's easy to name Taylor Teagarden team MVP for the 2nd year in a row. Honorable Mention: Nobody
Team Cy Young: RHP Josh Linblom - Going 16-3 with a 3.07 ERA and 189 Ks Josh is the clear choice for Astro's Cy Young for 2012. He also managed the rare feat of starting 32 games for a team not missing his turn in the rotation once. He's won 32 games since converting to a starter and with an improved K/9IP rate in 2012 there's no reason to believe he should fail to sustain his success in 2013. Honorable Mentino: Zack Braddock (12-3 3.38 205K/184IP)
Team Rookie of the Year: 3B Neftali Soto - Neftali made an immediate impact when he arrived and ended up being the surprising gem in the Ardolis Chapman deal. He hit .322/.362/.579 in Houston and 22HRs combined. With an excellent glove he might manage to displace the previously anointed Dayan Viciedo from his starting 3rd baseman throne. Honorable Mention: Coincidentally Dayan Viciedo (.281/.314/.400) and Dai Shima
Team Comeback Player of the Year: Jason Bourgeios - After playing himself out of a bench roll and into AAA for a sting in 2011 Jason came back in 2012 and played himself out of a bench roll and into a starter versus LHP. 2011: .221/.264/.289 and 2012: .284/.338/.432 while increasing his SB%, BB-rate and XBHs and managed to lower his K-rate. He was Houston's super-utility man to boot playing solid D at 2B, LF and RF. Honorable Mention: Carlos Triunfel
Team Relief Pitcher of the Year: Dai Shima - In 66IP he struck out 77 batters (9.68/9IP) and only allowed an OBA of .169 and a WHIP of 0.86. While he was quite the flamethrower the media made him out to be he also showed a command he never so much as flashed while in Japan posting a respectable 2.32BB/9IP and only tossing 7 wild pitches. He did blow 9 saves in 42 tries but he the offense often times picked him up and as a result he tied Zack Braddock in the win count with 12. I don't think any other player had a more quiet and prevalent impact for his team than Dai Shima did by shoring up a decrepit 2011 Astros bullpen. Honorable Mention: Pat Neshek (3.56 ERA 79K/60.2IP - 11.72K/9IP good for 4th in the MLB)
This is my 3rd year giving out the Astro's team awards and it was a pleasure not having to qualify my selections with 'buts' and 'ifs'. This team is perhaps one for the ages and I hope it'll age like a fine wine. Maybe I'm still drunk on that e-champagne but I think when we look back into that proverbial rear view mirror in a few years it'll be plain as day that this team was truly elite.
Thanks to everyone who helps make FCM one of the greatest leagues and 2012 one of the most special season's of my life!
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