V-Mart For MVP

Add Shelley Duncan's name to the roll call of names to be written down and remembered. 

This afternoon, he did something only two other hitters have done in almost six seasons: homer twice in one game off Justin Verlander. 

Two two-run bombs, in fact; in the second giving the Indians a 4-2 lead.

But that's okay; Shelley Duncan is a favorite here in the second floor baseball bunker. He's the only major league player in my era named Shelley. His full name is David Shelley Duncan, but his dad is already Dave Duncan, and I remember him as a rookie catcher for the Kansas City Athletics way way back in the day.

And, the way the Tigers have been playing, one knew they'd eventually take the lead. 

That they did, on a seventh inning grand slam by Victor Martinez. They then held off the Indians to post an 8-6 win, and a sweep of the series the Tribe needed to sweep to have any shot at the division title.

JV's name has been mentioned when possible American League MVPs are discussed. The case can also be made for V-Mart. He's hit .300 from each side of the plate, driven in many a run with many a clutch hit, stayed relatively injury-free (one trip to the DL), and one wonders where the Tigers would be without him in the middle of the order.