For two teammates, the best way to describe the race for the National League batting title in 2012 is awkward. But for the fans of San Francisco, catcher Buster Posey provided them poetic justice.
Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera was in line to win the NL batting title, even after his 50-game suspension for synthetic testosterone. Cabrera did the right thing and withdrew himself from consideration, with Major League Baseball's approval.
Posey did one better. He hit .336 on the season and won the batting title himself.
When Cabrera got suspended in August, Posey said the Giants had to play the rest of the season like they had a chip on their shoulder. Then he went out and showed them how. Posey hit .338 in the second half to claim his first batting title in three full major league seasons. He hit 24 home runs and drove in a career-high 103 runs. He carried San Francisco's offence down the stretch, which scored the second most runs in the National League since the All-Star break.
Two years ago, Posey won NL rookie of the year after hitting .305. He will be hard to beat for comeback player of the year, playing 148 games (114 at catcher) since returning from a season-ending ankle injury in 2011. But he should also be your National League Most Valuable Player.
Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen can stake their claims, but both are sitting home this post-season. Posey's still batting.
