Special Car Go

Watching Albert Pujols battle Etobicoke native Joey Votto for the National League's MVP award the past 3 weeks, and each of them taking turns with timely runs batted in, long flies, etc has taken the focus off The Other Guy.

The Other Guy is simply leading the batting race, and has inched up in runs batted in, and home runs on Fat Albert and Votto, and so much so, not many have noticed.

Carlos Gonzalez, or Cargo has with his play, and Troy Tulowitzki has lead the Rockies to 8 straight wins, they ran right over the Central Division leaders, the Reds, and are threatening the Giants and Padres for the National League West crown, and don't be too shocked my friends if they just do that very thing. They are getting decent starts out of their rotation, but it is their Gung Ho offense, their bravado, why just the other night, down 5- 0 to the Reds, they battled back, and on a suicide squeeze, where the hitter was ready, the Reds pitcher had his head down and out of the play as Rockies stole home, and the game.

But it is the efforts of Carlos Gonzalez that has been the biggest difference. He hits is when they need that hit. He dives and takes doubles away when defense is called for. He also has very quietly crept up on Pujols and Votto who were locked in a Triple Crown battle royal the last few months. I mean, who is this guy ?

Gonzo is on his 3rd organization in 4 years,  beginning as a "can't miss D-Backs " prospect. Then dealt to Oakland in the Huston Street deal, and then re dealt back to the NL West in the Matt Holliday deal. He struggled upon reaching the Rockies, and as of July 2009 was causing manager Jim Tracy many sleepless nights, and many explanations on why he was still in the line up.  His top 5 position on hrs, ribbies, batting average, runs scored, and slugging is better than anyone else.

The Colorado Kid is riding his hot streak and the Rox right back into what appears to be an interesting final 2 weeks. As the Padres and Giants duke it out, the Rox win and gain ground on whomever loses, and while the Braves play .500 ball, the Wild Card is not out of the question either.

The Cards are done in the Central, and Votto's Reds are home and cooled. The Kid must continue his efforts to keep his team winning.   So far, he's been doing just that.  He finally had an 0 fer so he is mortal, but his team won their 8 th straight, conjuring up the magical run Colorado had , winning 22 of the last 23, and winning a 1 game playoff to get into the post season, and eventually the World Series.
Gonzo's team is on a similar path this year, and if they win the NL West, he is going to get a lot of votes for MVP, and he would have mine.

He is Special Cargo, so try and catch some of his heroics if you can.