Detroit Tigers’ catcher Alex Avila impressive performance in 2011 - MLB News
Recently, some renowned sports newspapers and websites have published several stories regarding Detroit Tigers’ young energetic catcher Alex Avila, who certainly played his part helping the Tigers to reach far in the 2011 Major League Baseball
season.
The Tigers, who played in the America League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Texas Rangers, were initially not considered as capable as they showed their valour in the ALCS. Though, the Tigers lost the series but at-least they lost with pride and
that very pride was provided by their several very good players especially catcher Alex Avila. He not only started well for the Tigers, but he was also selected for the All Star game in July for his consistent performance.
Seeing his stats at the end of the season, where his 32 percent throwing runners average, including .389 on base percentage and .506 slugging average also made him among the best catchers of the American League.
Many baseball experts also speculated in the media that Alex Avila has a strong potential to win this year’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, despite facing Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, who are sure shots to win this year’s MVP for their individual
performances. Although, both these players have also showed tremendous toughness during the 2011 season, but comparing the position where Alex Avila played every night and in a difficult sitting position, is much easier to judge who the real MVP is.
Avila’s true commitment with the game and with his team all-season-long was unquestionable where he even did not care about his knees that started to frustrate him during middle of the season. Later, at the end of the season, some news came out regarding
his fitness condition and that he is battling severe tendinitis in both knees which needed a timely surgery.
Though, the surgery was later called off as he only needed a rest for 2-3 weeks, many experts started to appreciate Avila’s sturdiness as he never raised his voice regarding his late knee issues during the season. They acknowledged and compared Avila with
those MLB players who always play for their own future and long contracts regardless of their team’s needs.
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