This file lists the rankings of our computation of
who deserves the Most Valuable Player award for each
league for 1999.

Note: The computation considers what single player, added to a team
of average players, would have increased this average team's wins by the
greatest number. The computation does not include defensive ability
but it DOES include dependence on the position played. That is,
an average lineup for each league was constructed -- i.e., average
second baseman, average outfielders etc. from the league data for the
1999 regular season. Then for example, Derek Jeter was substituted for
the shortstop but placed in the cleanup position (all candidates were
placed cleanup). Once again, the Markov Chain method is applied. 

Pitchers have now been included in the following way. Each pitcher
with at least 100 innings pitched who gave up 2.5% less base runners
than average for his league was considered. The pitching (defense) number was
computed by taking into account the fraction of the typical game each
pitcher pitched in those games in which he pitched and assumed an average
pitcher pitched the rest of the game. Again, we considered how many
extra wins such a pitcher should have given an average team -- against average
competition this past season.

The candidates for position players considered had to be ranked in the 
top ten in Batting Average, RBI or Home Runs in their league

Since pitchers are also eligible for the Cy Young Award, maybe a pitcher
should only get the MVP is they are a certain amount above the highest
positon player -- say one full extra team win. This would make Chipper
Jones the NL MVP but Pedro Martinez the AL MVP.

National League
                Extra Wins above 81
Shane Reynolds (P)   6.68
Randy Johnson (P)    6.57
Chipper Jones (3B)   6.32
Kevin Brown (P)      6.00
Kevin Millwood (P)   5.93
Mark McGwire (1B)    5.64
Larry Walker (OF)    5.47
Jeff Bagwell (1B)    4.81
Brian Giles (OF)     4.20
Sammy Sosa  (OF)     4.07
Bobby Abreu (OF)     4.05
Joh Smoltz (P)       3.93
Mike Piazza (C)      3.84


American League
                Extra Wins above 81
Pedro Martinez (P)   7.31
Manny Ramirez (OF)   6.20
Derek Jeter   (SS)   5.72
Nomar Garciaparra(SS)5.22
Rafael Palmeiro (DH) 5.04
Bernie Williams (OF) 4.46
Roberto Alomar (2B)  4.39
Ivan Rodriguez  (C)  3.79
Keith Foulke (P)     3.785
Juan Gonzalez (OF)   3.57
Alex Rodriguez  (SS) 3.54
Ken Griffey Jr. (OF) 3.51