Several years ago Ortiz and A-Rod, by then a Yankee, were having great years, and the Globe asked for opinions on who should be MVP.  I said A-Rod for two reasons:  he played 3B; he played in more games (just one more, I think).  Ortiz is still a very good hitter, but I just can't see voting for a DH as MVP as long as there are position players with seasons as good or almost as good.

In this case, Ortiz's numbers aren't all that great.  AGon is having a much better year, and I think even Pedroia is having a better year.  Ellsbury, batting leadoff, has almost as many rbi's and way more runs scored. 

Ortiz doesn't need to be an MVP candidate to be valuable to this team, which he is.  Last night was just one more example of why that is so, even though the Sox lost. 

The Ellsbury MVP talk is just that, something Bob Ryan wrote about on a slow day.  And, really, the point of his article was to show that leadoff hitters had in fact been voted in as MVP in the past.    I personally don't like the Ellsbury MVP talk because I think it's a distraction, plus I can't support MVP for a one year wonder.  Right now, I don't think Jake is even the best centerfielder in the AL, let alone the MVP.  But he is having a terrific year, one that is benefitting both him and his team. 

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