Prior Finishes Third in Cy Young Voting
Eric Gagne was named the National League’s Cy Young Award winner today. He received 28 of 32 first place votes. Jason Schmidt, who received 2 first place votes, finished second. Mark Prior received the other two first place votes and finished third.
Gagne’s receiving the award was expected. Despite my definite preference for Prior, I’m not disappointed, because I really thought Schmidt deserved it.
I also appreciate Prior’s response. Too many athletes today think they deserve whatever award, and when they don’t win, they say something like, “He’s good, but I think I should have won.” Or something even less gracious. But the AP reports:
Prior, who is getting married Saturday, thought Gagne deserved to win.
“To do what he did and to not blow a save, especially in the situations he was put in, one-run games a lot of times, and to rattle off 50-some odd straight saves, is unbelievable,” he said.
I think that’s a great response even if the player saying it was the really the one who deserved the award. And congratulations to Prior and his bride.