For the second straight season, an American League shortstop had a tremendous year, and won the MVP. This year, it was a 23-year-old kid named Cal Ripken, who was in his sophomore season. He had started out as a third baseman; he was big and tall and didn't look anything like a conventional shortstop — but Oriole manager Earl Weaver made the switch, and it worked. Ripken had a great season, and the Orioles won the World Series (though with Joe Altobelli managing).

        There were a lot of good infielders in the league, about six of whom could be considered serious MVP candidates. It is difficult to choose from among them, but Ripken was a good choice. At a young age, Cal was already something special. He was a big guy with power and a strong throwing arm who could also play a smart shortstop. He was also remarkably durable, and did not miss a game all season. And it would be a long time before he did miss another game.

        "Am I a leader? I don't know. In the past, playing against the White Sox, I have seen instances where they might seem to be looking for one."
        On Opening Day in 1981, the White Sox opened the season in Fenway Park, and catcher Carlton Fisk beat his former team with a three-run homer over the Monster in left. Fisk, the White Sox and all of baseball had two seasons in 1981. Fisk hit well and the Sox had a winning record before the strike; after play resumed, the Sox struggled and Fisk slumped. He rebounded in 1982 to catch 135 games, while the White Sox won 87 games.
        The next year got off to a rocky start. Fisk hit .154 in April, and his average did not move above .200 under the end of May. Likewise, the White Sox were 20-25 after two months. Fisk heated up during the summer; he was moved into the #2 spot in the order by manager Tony LaRussa, and in July batted .366 with 10 home runs. The White Sox streaked to a 46-15 record over the final two months, leading the league in wins and winning the West Division. But in the ALCS, the Sox fell to the Orioles in four games, and Fisk hit only .176.
        Fisk finished third in the MVP vote. He hit .289 with 26 home runs and 86 RBI; he was also credited for working with a pitching staff that included Cy Young-winner La Marr Hoyt and 22-game winner Richard Dotson. The White Sox were widely picked to repeat in 1984, but the season proved to be a disaster; Fisk suffered a stomach muscle strain in the spring, and hit under .200 for several weeks before going on the disabled list. He continued to play in pain after he returned, and finished the season with a .231 average. The White Sox lost 88 games.
        "They checked me for kidney stones, tumors, cancer, everything but whether I was suddenly pregnant. I could see the beginning of the end of my career."
        Fisk arrived at camp in 1985 with mixed feelings. He addition to his usual intense workout regimen, he had added strenuous exercises to develop the muscles in his stomach. He was unsure about whether the pain from the year before would return; he was also unhappy that Hoyt had been traded for shortstop prospect Ozzie Guillen. But the season proved to be a good one; Fisk caught 130 games, and set career highs with 37 home runs and 107 RBI. He caught Tom Seaver's 300th win, and the White Sox rebounded to win 85 games.
        The next year was a tumultuous one. At age 38, Fisk was eligible for free agency; but faced with collusion by the owners (of which White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf was a leader) he re-signed with Chicago. The new GM, Hawk Harrelson, decided that Fisk would move to left field, so that top prospect Joel Skinner could take over behind the plate. Fisk struggled in left field, with the bat and glove; Skinner hit just .157, and the team started 7-18. After 25 games, Fisk was again moved behind the plate. But he could not save his season; he suffered from an infection and lost weight, and hit .221 with 14 homers.
        A new GM (Larry Himes) and manager (Jim Fregosi) were in place in 1987, but the story was familiar. A rookie catcher, Ron Karkovice, handled the catching in the spring while Fisk was used as a DH. But after Karkovice batted .063, Fisk was again moved back behind the plate. He had a solid season at age 39, batting .256 with 23 home runs. After the season he re-signed with the White Sox and was guaranteed the starting catcher's role. He started well, but on May 10 his right hand was broken by a foul tip. He played well after his return in late July, and ended up batting .277 with 19 home runs in half a season.
        Fisk was not always on good terms with White Sox management during this time. During the 1987 season, Himes banned alcohol from the team clubhouse; Fisk was quoted as saying that he would sneak beer into a cooler in his locker. Himes told security at Comiskey Park to search Fisk when he arrived before the game. Said Fisk: "I would have brought papaya juice in so they could all have some. If he really thought I'd try to do something like that, it shows he doesn't know me."
        And the team was losing. In 1989, Fisk played only six games in April, when another fracture was discovered in his hand. He returned in June, and was outstanding for the rest of the season, batting .293 with 13 home runs. But the White Sox finished in last place, their fourth straight losing season. Fisk criticized management for their reluctance to play their young players, and their reluctance to pay him what he felt he was worth. But he re-signed with a Sox, a new two-year contract that was heavy with incentives.
        "There's a right way and a wrong way to do things, and you do it the wrong way."
        Part of his income was tied to the club's attendance, which turned out to be an astute deal: the White Sox in 1990 surprised everybody with a winning season and doubled their attendance. Fisk caught 116 games, batting .285 with 18 home runs, while the Sox finished second in their division with 94 wins. Fisk set a new record for home runs by a catcher. The Sox in 1991 had another fine year, winning 89 games; Fisk was still able to contribute 18 homers and 74 RBI. He made more than a million dollars that year just in incentives.
        Though he was 42 years old, the younger generation were still forced to compete with the older man. He challenged 22-year-old outfielder "Neon" Deion Sanders of the Yankees to run to first after Sanders chose to stand a watch a popup. The two exchanged words and had to be separated at the plate. As a rookie with the Red Sox, Fisk had publicly challenged the veteran stars to show more leadership - now, at age 45, he was still unafraid to challenge any person - player or owner - whom he felt was pissing on the game.
        He engaged in new contract talks after the 1991 season that were very public and acrimonious. He didn't like owner Jerry Reinsdorf, nor the new GM, Ron Schueler, and wasn't afraid to tell anybody. But Fisk re-signed in Chicago, another incentive-laden contract that didn't pay what he wanted. Larry Himes had left the Sox to become the Cubs' GM; despite their past history, Himes offered Fisk a contract, but he declined, saying that he could never play for Chicago's other team.
        "Loyalty is an overused word, but I've given my loyalty to this team and the team has not responded in kind."
        The baseball public, of course, had no great love for Reinsdorf, while Sanders was mostly held in contempt. Fisk became a celebrated figure - he and Nolan Ryan were baseball's kick-ass elders, throwbacks to another era. But Fisk could also be stubborn and somewhat exasperating. He was determined to finish his career in a White Sox uniform, even though neither player nor team was happy with the arrangement.
        He began the 1992 season on the DL, and did not play his first game until June. He struggled at the bat, but was determined to play another season. Fisk admitted that he was obsessed with setting the new record for games caught by a catcher. He still trailed Bob Boone (who had retired just three years earlier) by 24 games; Fisk signed a minor league deal in March of 2003, played in 25 games to set the record, and was released.
        Five years later, Fisk joined an illustrious Hall of Fame ballot that included Brett, Ryan and Yount. He fell short. On the positive side, he was inducted a year later, and was the marquee attraction of that year's ceremonies. In typical Fisk fashion, he delivered one of the longest speeches by any inductee, choking up several times.
        On the field, Carlton Fisk's accomplishments speak for themselves. He played more games behind the plate than any other catcher, and still holds the record for home runs. Though injuries cut into his prime years, his production, consistency and longevity in the second half of his career are unparalleled for a catcher.
        Off the field, athletes often prove to be frustrating for fans and media. Most players either rarely speak, or simply repeat cliches from the Bull Durham school of public relations. There are some athletes who will speak their minds, but they are usually jerks and self-promoters who don't give a damn about other people.
        Carlton Fisk was the rarity. He would talk, and he would speak honestly about what was on his mind. He would criticize teammates and opponents who didn't give a solid effort, and owners who were cheap or didn't respect their players. And though Carlton was a bit of an enigma, not too many people would call him a self-centred jerk. For 24 seasons, he was fun to watch, fun to listen to, easy to admire and a legitimately great player.

        Lance Parrish was another fine catcher who had one of his best seasons. Parrish debuted with the Tigers in 1977, the same year as Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. He played for 20 years, and hit 324 lifetime home runs. Like Trammell and Whitaker, Parrish was now entering his prime; the Tigers would benefit a year later by winning the World Series.
        If Ripken and Fisk are the top two choices among the infielders, then we still have to choose from among Parrish, Lou Whitaker, Wade Boggs and Robin Yount. Again, it's a tough choice. The Brewers had a good year, and so did Yount, last year's MVP. I'll give him a slight edge over the others.
         For two decades, Dave Winfield and Eddie Murray were among the best power hitters in baseball, and they finished their careers with similar numbers. This season was one of Murray's best; he was runner-up in the MVP vote for the second straight year, and combined with Ripken to lead the Orioles to the World Series. Murray was an incredibly durable, consistent, and balanced player, a switch-hitter who excelled from both sides of the plate. He played for 20 years, and passed numerous milestones, including the 3000-hit mark. Murray also had 504 lifetime homers, and over 500 doubles for good measure. A patient hitter who would take a walk, Murray was also a dangerous run producer who is one of very few players to drive in more than 1900 career RBI.
        Dave Winfield was also one of the best hitters of his generation; over 3000 career hits, plus 465 lifetime home runs and over 1800 RBI. He was a great athlete who could have starred in any sport; in addition to his power numbers, Winfield stole over 200 bases and was a fine defensive player. Neither player was immune to controversy during his career; one year, Murray decided that he was no longer going to talk to the press, and he kept that silence for the rest of his career. Winfield had some of his best seasons in New York, but was often a lightning rod for controversy.
        Winfield's years with the Yankees were turbulent ones. He left the serenity (and anonymity) of San Diego and signed a big contract with the Bombers in 1981. He had an outstanding decade for the Yankees, but struggled badly in the 1981 World Series, prompting owner George Steinbrenner to dub him "Mr. May". Winfield was an All-Star every year he played in New York, but he and Steinbrenner also developed a bitter feud. Steinbrenner paid a small-time hood to dig up dirt on Winfield; when the odious details of this affair were made public, Steinbrenner was suspended by Commissioner Fay Vincent.
        After Steinbrenner's suspension, Winfield was dealt to California. He then moved on to Toronto, where he had his last big year in 1992. In Game Six of the World Series, Winfield delivered the game-winning hit in extra-innings, erasing memories of his poor 1981 postseason (it also erased memories of the time when Toronto police arrested Winfield for accidentally killing a seagull with a baseball). Steinbrenner was later reinstated by baseball as well, and his Yankees have won four more World Series, hopefully erasing bad memories of 1981 as well.