Placido Polanco, Detroit’s diminutive second baseman, has been voted the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). He batted for an average of .529 (9/17) and extended is post-season hitting streak to nine games. In the ninth inning of the fourth and deciding game against the Oakland Athletics, Polanco got a hit just two swings of the bat before the dramatic walk-off home run by Venezuelan Magglio Ordonez ended Oakland’s dream of a World Series. In a line-up of big swingers and big strikeouts, Polanco’s effective bunting was crucial for Detroit’s entry into the post-season. When he injured his shoulder in mid-August, Detroit fell in the standings, but his return in late September revived the club and his .396 average. His scoring position was an important factor to Detroit’s revival.