Top ten players of the post-season – 2011 MLB Playoffs - Part 1
The 2011 Major League Baseball post-season proved to be a dramatic one as some highly competitive games were witnessed. In addition to some great team efforts, there were terrific individual performances as well, which will be remembered for a very long
time. In the year of pitchers, some high quality throwing was displayed by the players. The hitters and the catchers also played a big part in their team’s victory. Overall, the playoffs were filled with excitement, tension and drama.
Although there were plenty of players who put up a valiant show during the playoffs, only the top ten performers will be discussed here.
1. Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers
Not many will be surprised by this ranking. Nelson Cruz was absolutely sensational as he had one of the best individual post-seasons in MLB history, if not the best. With his incredible leadership abilities, he let his side seal valuable victories during
the season. In the past fifteen years, Barry Bonds with the San Francisco Giants and Carlos Beltran with the Houston Astros had an incredible post-season run but Cruz in 2011 is likely to top the chart as he was simply unstoppable.
Using his phenomenal hitting abilities, the right hander hit six home-runs with 13 RBI’s. The quality of his game play was very impressive. Not only he did the job with his bat, he completed a picture perfect post-season when he took a sensational catch
and threw a double play in a crucial Game four of the Ameican League Championship Series.
2. David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals
Considering St. Louis Cardinals overall line-up, they were not expected to make it to the World Series. However, David Freese had other ideas. His surprising performances helped the Cardinals reach the World Series against the odds. Despite reaching the
playoffs in a dramatic fashion, the Cardinals were considered underdogs against the might of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tony LaRussa’s side stunned the Phillies and their fans by displaying some high quality baseball.
Freese deserves to be on the second spot on this list as he clubbed four home-runs and drove in 14 runs during the season.
3. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Although it wasn’t the best of the regular seasons of Pujol’s influential career, he was a part of some stunning Cardinal’s wins. It will not be wrong to say that he was the most consistent of all the players during the 2011 season. Considering his consistency,
he is known as the run scoring machine among his team-mates. With an impressive .419 batting average, 18 hits (highest among all players) and 10 RBI’s going into the World Series, he should be given credit for his wonderful achievements.
4. Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
Making the most of available opportunities, Ryan Braun showed why he is one of the best in the game. The Brewer’s strong left-fielder batted with an average of .405 with 17 hits. With the exception of Cardinal’s veteran reliever Octavio Dotel, no one seemed
to have an answer to Braun’s onslaught in the post-season. Showing his ability to hit all across the field, Braun put up a heroic show against St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks. He ended up with nine extra base hits, with seven doubles and two towering
home-runs.
Continued in Part 2.
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