Let's blame politics.

Looking at the stats, most people would say that you might as well flip a coin to decide whether CC Sabathia or Josh Beckett was the better pitcher. Boston fans [and other intelligent people] know better then this - intelligent people know that, when it comes down to it, Beckett was the better pitcher. But hey - let's blame politics. Joshie was, to put it lightly, not fond of the reporters. He clearly didn't like talking to them, and didn't make it easy for them to talk to him. And hey - sportswriters like a guy who likes them, right? Perhaps that explains why Josh was left so unceremoniously off the ballots of two votes.

Now, I had a really big post in which I named both guys' stats, and then proceeded to rant merrily about how awful the voting system was, how CC Sabathia didn't deserve the win... But then I figured that my mom wouldn't be too fond of the post as I got a bit too into it, and my language wasn't exactly suitable for civilized company. I feel properly ashamed for having written such things [sort of...] and will not post them here for your viewing, er, pleasure...

I did have a lovely time imagining CC shamefully packaging up the Cy Young award and having it over-nighted to Josh's ranch down in TX with the following telegram to accompany it:

TO JOSH BECKETT. STOP.
VERY SORRY TO HAVE WALKED OFF WITH YOUR AWARD. STOP.
WON'T EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. STOP.
SUGGEST THAT YOU TRY BEING MORE FRIENDLY WITH MEDIA. STOP.
ON SECOND HAND, NEVER MIND. STOP.
YOU DON'T NEED ADVICE FROM ME, A MEASLY 19 GAME WINNER. STOP.
HOPE YOU LIKE THE AWARD. STOP.
HAPPY DEER HUNTING. STOP.
RESIGN MIKE LOWELL. END.