The National League Most Valuable Player. This award is discussed each year around this time and there is always some kind of an argument. It may not be as extensive or ridiculous as the BCbS argument at the end of the college football season but for the first time in a long time I am highly in tune to how it's going to be decided. Does the NL MVP mean that the player is the most valuable in regards to their overall numbers/stats or how their team performs in light of those numbers? (i.e. making it to the playoffs) I guess the argument lives and dies whether you reside on the side of the overall numbers or the performance of the team. In this rather longwinded entry I'm going to attempt to argue why I think it should be the overall numbers throughout the year.
Henceforth, let me begin by talking about Philadelphia sportstalk. I strongly dislike it but I always find myself listening to it (echoes of Romans 7:15-16). Philly sportstalk is strongly bent on seeing Ryan Howard win the NL MVP and every argument that I've heard for that case is that the Phillies are going to make the playoffs (not definitely however, and wouldn't it be nice to see them collapse) and he leads the league in HR (47) and RBI (142). But I can't get my mind around the stats that show that he is going to break the all-time record (which he owns) for strikeouts (196 with 3 games to go) and his batting average is a lowly .248! Wow, and just because his team may slip into the playoffs, he is deserving of the NL MVP. If I had a vote, which I don't for those who may be wondering, he definitely wouldn't get mine!
I'm pretty confident that I would place my vote for Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. All I have to do is recite his numbers and I think it should be case closed. BUT, the Cardinals aren't anywhere near the playoffs, therefore, in some people's minds, that isn't good enough. So, here's my attempt for the Pujols argument. The Cardinals are currently 82-76, which isn't great but it also isn't too shabby. In fact, if they were in the NL West they would only be 1 game behind the 1st place Dodgers. But, that's neither here nor there. My point here is that the Cardinals were never even supposed to, nor predicted to have a year like this. They have no big names in their line-up and their pitching staff has been bothered by injuries all year long. Sure, Ryan Ludwick was a surprise to everybody but you're telling me that Pujols isn't deserving of the MVP because his team didn't make the playoffs. Come on, the Cardinals would be nowhere if Pujols didn't have the season that he did, which by the way, is a typical season for Albert. Here are Albert's numbers so far this season:
BA: .350 RBI: 108 HR: 34 SLG: .631 H: 179 R: 95 SO: 53
(53 K's for 512 at-bats) Let me remind you that Howard has 196 K's.
Now that I've argued my case of Pujols for MVP let me throw in a wrench for those who think that the MVP means that their team made it to the playoffs. What if the Phillies wind up losing their NL East lead to the Mets and the wildcard to the Brewers? That would be mean Howard's precious Phillies are out of the playoffs. Then who would be up for the MVP vote. Manny Ramirez from the Dodgers? His numbers since coming to the Dodgers are amazing
(BA: .398 RBI: 53 HR: 17 SLG: .757) and the Dodgers have been a much better team since he has arrived in LA, plus they are in the postseason. C.C. Sabathia maybe? The Brewers were given up for dead until last night's pitching performance (11 K's and the win) and since coming over to the Crew he is 10-2 with a 1.98 ERA. That's pretty good but if I'm not mistaken, there is an award for pitchers called the Cy Young.
In closing, let me take you back to last year. Jimmy Rollins, who one the NL MVP, had a fabulous season and led the Phillies to an exciting end of the year run to lead them into the post-season. He beat out Matt Holliday for the MVP award, which, to nobodies surprise I thought should have one the MVP. His numbers were better and he led the less talented Rockies (who?) to win 21 of their final 22 games and a run to the World Series. Sure Jimmy was great down the stretch, but when it came to the precious playoffs that are so coveted in Philadelphia sportstalk for winning this award, he was promptly swept by Matt Holliday and the Rockies. Nice going MVP.
So, with all due respect to Ryan Howard and his overrated HR's, I will nominate Albert Pujols for the 2008 NL MVP.
Now, all I need to do is figure out how to get a vote that counts. (oh well, it was fun anyway)