Red Sox MVP

The Red Sox web site has a poll asking viewers to chose the MVP for the 2004 season. The choices are among Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz and Johnny Damon. Over 84,000 people have cast their votes and right now it stands:

- Ramirez 40%
- Schilling 38%
- Damon 14%
- Ortiz 7%

I found several things interesting about the poll.

First - over 84,000 votes? Wow! That shows you just a glimpse of how much a passion the Red Sox are for fans in New England.

Second - why no Jason Varitek? Is it because this is a team website and Varitek is a free agent? If Varitek won the poll then it would give him more leverage when it comes to offseason negotiations.

Third - it is good to see fans properly appreciate how valuable Johnny Damon has been to this team. Although I agree that Manny is the team MVP - I would say that Schilling, Ortiz, Damon and Varitek would be just behind Manny. This Red Sox team is truly a team with no one person shouldering the load.