Mr. MVP or Mr. MIP

Most Valuable Player. Depends upon the perspective and opinion of the person watching the game. Does he believe that it should be the player who scored the most points? Or is he of the opinion that the MVP can be a player who kept successfully setting up the offense for the one who did all the scoring? Or maybe, it might be the clever and creative coach behind the scenes who taught those players how to be winners? An MVP winner is a varied and ever-moving target – largely depending on the one who is speaking.

But what about the MIP – which one should be called the Most Irrelevant Player of the game? You can certainly gather a range of passionate answers to that one. Usually based on expectations that were left laying in the mud on the field. When a person has a firm opinion of how a position should be played and the player…ummmm, doesn’t, that alone can bring on a verbal attack of “MIP of the Game.” Even though the player may have played his position exactly as his coach asked of him for that particular game day.

So, to me, these two categories of award winners, MVP and MIP, are pretty nebulous, as they are based upon the beliefs, expectations, and whims of the voter. And yet, those titles bestowed upon an estactic MVP winner or a dejected MIP have enormous power. Power to bolster someone’s self-esteem and public popularity. To say nothing of monetizing. Or conversely, power to harm the player’s belief in himself and also leave him wide open to public resentment and ridicule.

All founded upon the varying opinions of the spectators. And their wildly varying degrees of education, training and experience. My personal opinion? MVPs and MIPs awards are influenced by way too many variables to even be considered as viable to an objective and intelligent person. Considering the inherent negative power they hold, they should be considered as ‘dangerous weapons only to be used sparingly.’

Yes, I am aware, by now many of you are yelling “If a kid is the winner, then acknowledge him as the winner! Quit being someone who encourages kids to be “Snowflakes!”

I agree, we don’t need snowflakes who can’t stand up to the heat of being a loser, who have to be protected from the pain of not winning. Not what I’m talking about. I am simply saying that MVP and MIP are extremely subjective. It all depends upon the speaker – the one who has the most powerful lungs and the largest audience. The players those particular loudmouths nominate can easily become the winners of MVP or MIP.

If you have a group who listens avidly to your opinion, be careful. You carry a very big stick and even bigger sway. Sway for which the passing of time will hold you accountable. Use your opinions and your influence wisely.

And I’m not simply referring to sports, but you knew that.