Each year the Baseball Writers Association of America return to the spotlight when they announce their 24 nominations for the 2018 season awards. 

The BBWAA was formed in 1908 in the hopes of improving the working conditions of baseball writers across the country. The BBWAA also strove to get universal scoring methods that would stabilize the game, as well as to “professionalize” the press box by removing riffraff.

However, it wasn’t until the formation of the Baseball Hall of Fame that the BBWAA really stepped into the national spotlight. 

Every year, the BBWAA votes on which players earn a plaque in Cooperstown. Each year they’re peppered with questions about eligibility, voting tenure, Barry Bonds* stuff, all the while maintaining their dignity and decorum. 

Just kidding, they’re a bit of a circus. 

However, each year they come together to vote on the best and the brightest from the past season. The Cy Young, MVP, Manager of the Year and Rookie of the Year finalists are voted on beforehand, and the top 3 vote getters are announced. 

This year they have some serious decisions to make. 

Will the voters reward Joey Wendle’s successes in Tampa Bay? Or will they snub him for Shohei Ohtani to keep the hype train rolling through 2019? (SPOILER: THEY DO!)

Or will they hat tip two of the bright stars from the Bronx? Giving the Yankees the potential for back-to-back Rookie of the Year Awards. (SPOILER: THEY DO!)

Will Alex Cora win AL Manager of the Year? Or will Alex Cora win AL Manager of the Year?

What are the going to do about the NL Cy Young? And will they snub Max Scherzer in favor of Kyle Freeland? I mean, those numbers at Coors Field are insane. (SPOILER: THEY DON’T!)

And finally, does Mike Trout take home another piece of hardware, despite Mookie Betts’ monster season in Boston? The last time they went head-to-head, Trout won out. 

Will Aaron Nola being nominated for the Cy Young and the MVP due to his insanely high WAR? (LOL… but like… that’s crazy.)

Regardless, there’s going to be a lot of questions surrounding the field of candidates over the next week. So let’s take a look at the actual finalists: