Delgado Is a Triple Threat

Carlos Delgado envisioned a star-studded ballot for American League most valuable player. His name would be on there, sure. So would Darin Erstad of the Angels, Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox, Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez of the Boston Red Sox and Alex Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez of the Seattle Mariners.

“It’s flattering to hear your name mentioned in the same sentence with those guys,� Delgado said.

Say, Carlos, here’s an imaginary pencil. Cast an MVP vote on your imaginary ballot.

“Can I vote for myself?� he said.

In an imaginary election, why not?

“I would vote for myself,� Delgado said. “I can’t sell myself short.�

An honest man, and a worthy candidate. As the season enters its final month, the Toronto Blue Jay first baseman is well within striking range of one of baseball’s rarest and most cherished feats.

In an era when virtually every offensive record is akin to an endangered species, no player has worn baseball’s triple crown since Boston’s Carl Yastrzemski in 1967. But Delgado heads into September leading the league with 39 home runs and second in batting average (.364) and runs batted in (124).

So, in these final weeks of the season, Delgado could be the focus of an intense, international media spotlight, the kind Mark McGwire detests and Sammy Sosa embraces. Bring it on, Delgado said.

“It really doesn’t bother me,� he said. “It feels kind of cool to get recognition for good things. I’m not going to let it drive me crazy.�

And how would he feel should he win the triple crown?

“It would be amazing,� he said. “It would be great. It would be an honor.�

His nightly pummelings of American League pitching extend beyond the triple crown categories. Delgado leads the league in on-base percentage and slugging percentage, he had a 22-game hitting streak in June, and he has scored 105 runs and drawn 100 walks.

“He’s a lot better at pitch selection. That’s the improvement that has given him a chance to be a triple crown winner,� one AL scout said. “He’s letting them walk him. What he’s done is really narrowed down the pitches to the ones he can hit, then he’s not letting them get him out.

“I knew he was a good hitter, but I didn’t know he was this good a hitter.�

Delgado, 28, has always hit for power. He is the first player in Toronto history to hit at least 30 home runs in four consecutive seasons, and he drove in 134 runs last year and 115 runs in 1998. But, with a nod to his selectivity at the plate, his batting average is up 90 points from last season and 95 points from his career average.

“He’s in one of those grooves,� said former major leaguer Rex Hudler, the Angel television analyst. “Some guys can sustain it all year. He’s having a season you just dream about having.�

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A look at where Toronto first baseman Carlos Delgado ranked in various AL hitting categories before Wednesday night’s game against the Angels:

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Category Statistic Ranking Batting .362 Second Home runs 39 First RBIs 120 T-Second Slugging percentage .721 First On-base percentage .482 First Runs 105 T-Third Hits 170 Fourth Walks 100 Second Doubles 49 First

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