With players today hitting home runs at an alarming rate, many found it refreshing to see a leadoff hitter win the MVP. Ichiro did, in fact, have a fine offensive season, leading the league in hits (242), batting average (.350) and stolen bases (56). Plus, he played a great right field. But Ichiro's OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) was only .838, 27th in the American League. Were Ichiro's 56 steals, strong arm and other intangibles enough to justify him winning the MVP over Jason Giambi and 25 other players with a higher OPS?

One way to determine if Ichiro's 2001 season was "MVP worthy" is to compare it with MVP seasons in the past. The following chart ranks MVP winners (non-pitchers) by the smallest difference between their OPS and the MLB average OPS.

Players with less impressive seasons at the plate have won the MVP before, but not many. Only five MVP winners have ever had a lower OPS difference than Ichiro did this year, and all nine of the other players on this list were either middle infielders or catchers. There's no doubt Ichiro played right field beautifully, but playing a solid right field does not carry the same weight as playing shortstop or catcher well. Keep in mind, despite all the praise Ichiro's arm gets, he had only eight outfield assists (tied for 13th in the AL) this year.

Here's the same list, but outfield MVP winners only:

Ichiro's OPS difference is the lowest by far of any MVP outfielder. Essentially, the writers have selected a player with the worst offensive season by an outfielder in relation to an average player in MVP history (at least in terms of OPS).

If the American League lacked any other real MVP candidates, Ichiro's selection perhaps would be more understandable. But with players like Giambi and Bret Boone in the American League, it's hard to believe Ichiro deserved the MVP.