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There are a lot of genuine MVP candidates in the National League, including old names like Pujols and Howard, and new ones like Ryan Braun and Ryan Ludwick.
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
Yes, he has almost 200 strikeouts, and yes, he's batting just .248, hardly the kind of numbers one associates with a Most Valuable Player. However, nobody ever asked Ryan Howard to be Ichiro; his job is to hit home runs and and knock in runs, and he's done both of those things better than anyone else in the majors. Howard's 47 homers are eight more than Adam Dunn's 39, which ranks second in the National League. His 142 RBI are 18 more than David Wright's 124.
However, the lowest batting average by a National League MVP was Marty Marion's .267 in 1944. Even if Howard finishes strong, he will likely be about fifteen points below that number. Combined with the fact that he just won the MVP in 2006 (and the Ks and his struggles on defense), Howard is a long shot.
David Wright, New York Mets
Wright continues to develop into the consummate professional, and he's also one hell of a good hitter (.295 BA, 33 HR, 124 RBI, 115 Runs). Unfortunately, he'll lose a lot of potential first place votes to his teammate, Met's first baseman Carlos Delgado.
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
The Hebrew Hammer began the season slowly, leading many to speculate that last season's breakout rookie year was a fluke. By the end of April, he was batting only .276 with just three home runs. But Braun heated up in May, and he's stayed relatively warm throughout the summer. With two weeks left in the season, Braun has the Brewers on the verge of their first playoff appearance in 26 years with his .286 average, 36 home runs, 104 RBI and 14 stolen bases.
Carlos Delgado, New York Mets
Carlos Delgado's 2008 season has been all about the second half. Prior to the All-Star break, in 93 games, he hit just .248 with 17 home runs and 52 RBI. In the second half of the season, in just 63 games, he's hitting .308 with 21 homers and 62 RBI. That's a combined .273 with 38 bombs and 114 RBI. His big production and clutch play in September are big pluses for Delgado; he certainly hasn't been to blame for the Mets recent struggles. If the Mets do win the division, Delgado would be a very worthy Most Valuable Player.
Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
During spring training, Pujols announced that he had a "shredded' tendon in his elbow that would cause him constant pain throughout the season but could not yet be corrected by Tommy John surgery until it tore away fully. So at the beginning of the season, baseball fans and writers expected that Phat Albert would finally end his seven straight years with at least a .300 batting average, 30 home runs and 100 RBI.
Instead, Pujols manned up, played through the pain, and he's having yet another another monster year, batting .353 with 35 home runs and 112 RBI. He also leads the National League in On-Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage and OPS. Finally, Pujols has played a great first base all season long. However, his team is in fourth place. The last time a player on a team that finsihed worse than third and also won the MVP was 1987, when Andre Dawson won it on the last place Cubs.
Aramis Ramirez, Chicago Cubs
His teammate Geovany Soto will probably finish in the Top 10, but Aramis Ramirez has a real shot to win the award. The Cubs have been the best team in the National League all season, and Ramirez has been their most consistent slugger and run producer for the Cubs' potent offense. He's hitting .289 with 44 doubles, 27 home runs, and 111 RBI. Those aren't quite Pujols numbers, but they do qualify him for a spot in the top seven.
So who will win? The slugging Phillies' first baseman with the Gorman Thomas batting average? The best hitter in baseball whose team finished in fourth place? A New York Met? It could be any of them, and with three games left in the season, a lot could still change. The award is still to be won.
The copyright of the article 2008 National League MVP Candidates in Baseball is owned by James Lincoln Ray. Permission to republish 2008 National League MVP Candidates in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Sep 16, 2008 1:16 PM
Guest :
WHAT ABOUT MANNY RAMIREZ? HE IS TAKING THE LA YANKSOX TO THE PROMISED LAND
THIS YEAR. BOSOX VS LAYANKSOX IN THE WORLD SERIES.
Sep 18, 2008 12:48 PM
Guest :
Ryan Braun? Get Real.
Sep 20, 2008 12:16 AM
Guest :
I base my selections on the application of the Triple Crown Award. In
addition, there is no such thing as a batting average --- it can't be
formulated. Slugging average is a flawed formula; thus, its inclusion in
other formulae, such as OPS, are also flawed. My MVP is determined by
formulae reflecting hitting proficiency, hitting production and hitting
power. Consequently the choices in the National League narrowed down to 8
players on which those 3 offensive achievements were inter-related on a
player by player basis. These finalists were Pujols, Berkman, Ludwick C.
Lee, Holiday, Wright, Howard and Beltran. It narrowed down to three ---
Now, a triple crown ranking is 1.000 --- 3 classifications of hitting
ranked in first place divided by 3, or 1.000. The best any of thses players
can do is a rating somewhat less than 1.000 because none have all 3 first
place rankings. The three are Pujols at .918; Lee .908; and Howard at .938.
Howard is light years ahead of everyone else in hitting production ( net
rbis and runs ) and that carries him over the top for MVP. In the American
League it settled down to two from 6 candidates --- Quentin, Morneau,
Hamilton, Huff, A-Rod and Youkills. Quinten overran A-Rod .992 to .962
But when comparing Quinten to Howard --- wow, it is close. Howard .9781
Quinten .9778. But we still have 9 games until the final analysis.
Sep 20, 2008 5:17 AM
Guest :
"Wake up Voters for the MVP. This was old 2 years ago and last year
was another disgrase" Philly's recieved it 2 years in a row and that
was a big question in my eyes. Colorado's Matt Holiday was robbed last year
and everyone knows it. In 2006 if you look at the numbers I think Pujols
was robbed too. If Pujols doesn't win this year something is wrong in the
voting and it will be a disgrase. Something is broken so fix it. In 2006
Pujols beat Howard in every number but HR and RBI's, but the Cardinals won
the World Series so I think Pujols felt justified. He still should have won
the MVP. Jeff from Chicago.
Sep 21, 2008 7:54 PM
Guest :
Ryan Braun, Ryan Howard, Delgado, or Pugols one of them has to win it
unless the astros make the playoffs then lance berkman should be a good
choice
Sep 22, 2008 8:31 AM
Guest :
Jeff from Chicago'
J Roll clearly deserved it last year over
Holiday.Just look at his numbers.38 doubles,20 triples,41 stolen bases,30
hr's and a .296 average.How could he not get it.
Glenn from Philly.
Sep 22, 2008 8:36 AM
Guest :
Sorry Jeff from Chicago
J Roll clearly diserved it last year.Just look
at his numbers.38 2b's
20 3b's,30 hr's,41 sb's and .296 ba. How could
he not get it.
Glenn from Philly.
Sep 22, 2008 11:36 PM
Guest :
Ryan Howard. No doubt about it. Leading the charge for the Phils and thank
you Mets for choking once again. Appreciate it.
Sep 23, 2008 8:31 AM
Guest :
Howard in 2006. J-Roll in 2007. Howard in 2008. J-Roll in 2009... and so on
and so on...
Sep 23, 2008 6:02 PM
Guest :
Well, I agree, Pujols should be MVP. However, sportswriters seem to have a
bias against him. He should have been MVP in '06 instead of Howard.
Pujols had many more runs (even though he played something like 19 fewer
games), a higher slugging percentage, hit something like .387 with runners
in scoring position, played gold-glove first base (compared to Howard's
pathetic first-base play), and had almost no protection in the lineup. I
think there is a prjudice among MVP voters against Dominican players.
Manny has never won MVP despite having several MVP-caliber years including
one with 165 RBI. Vlad has won just one MVP despite having several awesome
years. Lastly, Pujols has just one MVP despite having been, by far, the
best all-around hitter in the majors the last eight years. My money is on
Wright to win the MVP because of his skin color. By the way, if Howard
gets it, it will be an abomination. He didn't deserve it in '06, and he
certainly doesn't deserve it this year. His average and defense are
pathetic. The only reason he drives in a lot of runs is because he's
hitting in the most awesome lineup in the majors, giving him incredible
protection and an unbelievable opportunity to drive in runs, while Pujols
has very little protection and much fewer opportunities with runners on and
in scoring position. In a nutshell, MVP voting is a joke!!!
Sep 25, 2008 1:05 PM
Guest :
who has produced more than Ryan Howard ?
Sep 26, 2008 5:20 PM
Guest :
Do we have a bitter Mets Fan from Chicago(Jeff)? The numbers prove
it.....Rollins clearly deserved last year's MVP. It will be tough this year
but Howard is definitely in the running for it again. Go Phils!!
Sep 26, 2008 11:44 PM
Guest :
It's Pujols hands down. Why argue...the man had hall of fame stats this
year and smoked the competition...plus he got ripped off for the award in
2006.
Sep 27, 2008 10:32 PM
Guest :
Albert by a mile. With one game left, he's in the top 5 in almost every
offensive category: #1 in slugging percentage (by a mile) and OPS; #2 in
batting average, walks, and on-base percentage; #3 in hits; #4 in RBI's and
home runs; #6 in doubles; and #14 in runs scored. All this while having a
fractional number of strikeouts compared to the other
"contenders" (Ryan Howard currently has 198 K's to Albert's 53).
He also managed to put up these numbers despite playing up to a dozen fewer
games than the other names in the mix. Defensively, he has a gold glove
worthy 0.996 fielding percentage with only 5 errors in over 1426 chances
(#4 in total chances in the league).
I agree he was robbed in
2006 but the World Series win was sweet. The Cards will finish 3rd or 4th
in the Central this year, but could have won the division easily if their
bullpen hadn't led the league in blown saves. Their starting pitching,
which was actually pretty decent, was decimated with injuries. Several of
their middle relievers got moved up to starters, which really depleted the
bullpen.
I would have been leaning toward Berkman a few weeks
ago, but his production seemed to drop off a bit even as the Astros were on
a tear to make a run for the wild card. Even so, he's had a fabulous
season.
As for the Mets in the mix, they can't decide if they
how many MVP candidates they have (I've heard as high as 7, including
pitchers). I also get sick of the East Coast bias, but here they should
cancel themselves out.
Sep 28, 2008 12:49 AM
Guest :
If albert does not win then the sports reports are nuts, shit Ray Charles
can see albert wining and hes dead and blind
Sep 28, 2008 10:27 AM
Guest :
Albert Pujols is batting 359 37 hrs 115 rbi's 103 walks 100 runs leads the
NL in slugging OBP and OPS..nuff said..Oh yea he has been steller in the
field....
Sep 29, 2008 5:22 AM
Guest :
Dont forget Mr. Pefect, Brad Lidge! 41/41
Sep 29, 2008 7:20 AM
Guest :
There is no one player who comes close to Albert Pujols in terms of value.
If you really want to compare Howard and Albert, look at BA and OBP.
Albert's hitting over 100 points higher than Howard and his average never
dipped below .340 all year, how's that for consistency. Plus, Albert
doesn't play in that BS hitters ballpark where routine flies sail out into
the upper deck. Look at the Phillies team and the Cardinals team and ask
where would each be without their big slugger. Albert's walk to strike out
ratio is over 2 to 1 (a bit different than Howard's). And defensively? No
competition. As for Ryan Braun: great year just the numbers don't stack of
to Pujols.
Sep 30, 2008 10:53 AM
Guest :
carlos delgado, albert pujols and david wright??????????? they couldn't
even make the playoffs. Aramis Ramirez had a lot of help with their
stacked lineup. and ryan braun doesn't lead the NL in anything. The only
one left is Ryan Howard. It is the only fair canidate left. The entire
organization started going down and Ryan Howard stepped up in September to
lead them to the playoffs. he leads the league in rbi's and home runs. He
got more than 11 home runs in september alone which is more than most
people have in their entire season. No doubt mvp= ryan howard
Sep 30, 2008 8:01 PM
Guest :
pujols gets the nod, only david wright could have knocked him out. and,
matt holiday did get robbed last year, baseball writers love quirky little
bullshit stats. rollins in other years yes, last year no!
Oct 5, 2008 11:48 PM
Guest :
To the person that left the third comment on this thread, how in the heck
is slugging percentage flawed????? And then you state that RBIs are a
better measure of performance? David Wright was second in the league in
RBI but his batting average with runners in scoring position was
horrendous. RBI are heavily dependent on your teammates being on base in
scoring position when you come up to the plate. People need to stop
looking at thoes measures as the be all end all and look deeper. It's far
to easy to just look at triple crown numbers and make a decision.
Oct 6, 2008 9:51 AM
Guest :
howard to win it.his team actually made the playoffs nd his hr and rbi
numbers are untouched.he produced more than neone else.so how can u give it
to anyone else. and yes the phillies in the past 2 years have deserved the
mvp.many of you people arent lookin at all the stats.
Oct 9, 2008 4:47 PM
Guest :
ok i think ryan howard going to win because of his doimaince of 47 hr'dand
thwe 150 rbi
Oct 15, 2008 9:46 AM
Guest :
Im a philly phan, but it doesnt mean i am bias. When you talk about Howards
K's it shouldnt matter. An out is and out is an out. A fly out and ground
out should be looked at the sam way a strike out is. So he strikes out
alot, but when he doesnt strike out hit produces runs. That is waht matters
and that is why he will get the MVP for 08'.
Oct 17, 2008 1:03 PM
Guest :
Exactly what it says at the top. Ryan Howard was brought to the Phillies
to hit home runs and drive runs in. He has did that all year round. When
you lead the league in home runs and RBI's, who cares about some strike
outs. He helped carry his team to the World Series, and Pujols didn't even
make the playoffs so how can he be the MVP. A valuable player gets the
team to where it is supposed to be, if not then what was even the point of
the regular series. Think about it, Ryan Howard is doing exactly what he
is supposed to do, and it also helps that he is a good first baseman as
well.
Oct 19, 2008 12:04 PM
Guest :
Personally I also see Chase Utley in contention. Until Howard became red
hot towards the end of the season, Chase Utley was the likely MVP. Don't
count out Chase yet.
Oct 21, 2008 1:49 PM
Guest :
First of all Mets SUCK, so anyone from the Mets have no chance and Ryan
Braun is too overrated. He's a good player don't get me wrong, but he's not
deserving of the award. Aramis Ramirez I don't think will get it either.
The two players that have a shot is Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard, but when
it comes down to the end I think Howard is going to get it. Forget the
strike outs and Batting average Leading the league in RBIs and HRs is why
he's going to get it>
Oct 21, 2008 8:09 PM
Guest :
howard is the bomb!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 23, 2008 8:51 AM
Guest :
im a philly phan yes but i dont think howard deserves it this year MVP is a
season long title showing how good you were for the entire season and
unfortunatly howard wasnt good enough threw the entire season to get the
vote this year and it includes the post season where he isnt hitting at all
( even though he's being pitched around) and unfortunatly they never give
the mvp to a pitcher or lights out lidge should win easily
Oct 23, 2008 6:14 PM
Guest :
MAnny???he switched teams in the middle of the year. plus he is compared to
athletes like t.o. because hes such a disrtraction.
Oct 26, 2008 5:18 AM
Guest :
Definately Ryan Howard, a run machine
Oct 28, 2008 1:49 PM
Guest :
I think Ryan Howard is an unreal power hitter. It stops there. He strikes
out too often. He could had have 220 rbi's this year batting 290. That is
how potent the Phillies offense has become. In 2006 he scored 94 runs
whilst hitting 58 dingers. That means he only scored (do the the math) 36
times when he didn't home runs. That's clogging the bases! Pujols had a
lineup that consisted of Ludwick (a great year because he batted near
Pujols) Ankiel, Glaus, Schumaker, Kennedy, Miles, Izturis, and Molina.
They batted about 230 when Pujols was hurt. I think he is the most
consistent player day to day, and year in year out. This year is not
exception. Pujols MVP 2008.
Josh from Utah
No one else is even
close, Considered MVP's should have 30 homers, 100 rbis, 100 runs, 300
average, 500 slg, 1.0 ops or higher. Or Triple Crown in the Cy Young
regardless where they are in the standings
Oct 28, 2008 7:51 PM
Guest :
albert pujols is the man!!!! if you think ryan hoWard should win the mvp
award your crazy! IF you guys recall the 2006 season when albert pujols
lead his team to the world series then won it. but of coarse who wins the
mvp a guy how struck 160 sum times and didnt even lead his team to the
playoffs. this year it should be pujols because he was cheated out of a mvp
when he lead his team to a world series. ryan howard is one win away from
taking his team all the way. i say payback to ryan howard pujols all the
way
Oct 29, 2008 5:17 AM
Guest :
RYAN HOWARD WINS THIS BY A LONG SHOT! THE MAN CARRIED THE PHILLIES ON HIS
BACK FOR ALL OF AUGUST INTO SEPTEMBER! HE WINS NO DOUBT!
Oct 31, 2008 7:07 PM
Guest :
Brad Lidge should win the MVP because he was the best closer in 2008.
Howard led the charge, sure, but what good was it if Lidge was not there to
seal the deal each and every time he was called upon. No blown saves in
2008, the man is filthy! no closer has gotten mentioned for the NL MVP so i
nominate Brad Lidge because he has not failed when the Phillies have called
upon him. No blown saves in 2009 either, only the Lord saves more than Brad
Lidge!
Nov 1, 2008 2:56 PM
Guest :
Here's the real answer to the MVP question. Would the Phillies trade
Howard for Pujols? Everyone, even Phillies fans, know the answer to that
is yes. Howard would be on his way out of Philadelphia faster than you can
blink.
If you put Pujols in the Phillies lineup and he'd challenge
Hack Wilson's RBI record. Howard is just another Adam Dunn, who happens to
be on a better team.
Nov 2, 2008 6:17 PM
Guest :
its going to be howard...most homeruns...who cares aboust strikeouts and
batting average..he gets the job done..he carried the phillies on his
back...i'm not even a phillies fan and i'm rooting for him...
Nov 2, 2008 6:18 PM
Guest :
its going to be howard...most homeruns...who cares aboust strikeouts and
batting average..he gets the job done..he carried the phillies on his
back...i'm not even a phillies fan and i'm rooting for him...
Nov 2, 2008 8:23 PM
Guest :
PHINALLY!!!! CAN WE SAY ANOTHER PHILLY MVP???
Nov 3, 2008 7:30 AM
Guest :
hey jeff from chicago... quit bittchin... u make no sense... pujols lead
howard in every category EXCEPT? RBIS AND HRS
THOSE ARE TWO MAIN
CATEGORIES THAT DECIDE THE MVP... GET REAL MAN.. GET REAL
Nov 4, 2008 1:02 PM
Guest :
Okay,I'm getting tired of this. I actually rooted for the Phillies in the
world Series. Ryan Howard is amazing, but c'mon. Albert Pujols is clearly
the top choice. For those people who think that whoever makes the playoffs
deserves. That is bull crap. In 06 albert Pujols hit 19 homers in 37 games
was on a record setting pace, and had 23 homers by May 20th. I went to that
game and i remember. He had an unfortunate accident and was out a month and
still ended up with amazing numbers, and made the playoffs and won the
world series even. Who gets it Ryan Howard? The playoffs have nothing to do
with the MVP voting. It's about who's more valueable. Howard is good and
yes an out is an out,i'm not biased, Ryan Howard can hit for Power, but
THAT'S IT!!! He can't push the ball well. He either hits for power or gets
out. Strike outs don't matter,but a .248 average does. That's not even
cool. Not only that, but Utley,Burrell, and the rest of that lineup is
unbelievable. Look at St.Louis. Albert had no protection and still put up
some of the best numbers in the league. Albert has been robbed to many
times, including when Barry Bonds stole it from him 2 or 3 times. Albert is
the best hitter in baseball, without him, the Cardinals would be dead last
in the NL Central behind the Pirates, Yes the pirates. Their offense
couldn't take that blow. Without Ryan Howard the Phillies would be decent
still. Come on guys, don't rob Albert Pujols again. He is such an amazing
player, and a very amazing person off the field, helping out the community.
What he is to The Cardinals and to the city of St.Louis is the most
valueable in it's own right! ALBERT PUJOLS FOR 2008 NL MVP!, Oh wait, did i
mention Albert played hurt the entire season. He went through 6 months of
pain and still did what he did. i don't know about you, but if you see him
like that injured, what will he be like healthy! Ryan Howard is no
comparison to Albert Pujols
Nov 12, 2008 3:09 PM
Guest :
If Howard doesnt win it something was rigged. If Pujols is so great why
don't you see his team in October? And Delgado and Wright choked for the
2nd year straight.Howard all the way!!!!!!
Nov 12, 2008 5:37 PM
Guest :
Lidge better get some votes. If nobodys perfect, explain how Lidge was
born
Nov 12, 2008 5:39 PM
Guest :
Lidge better get some votes. If nobodys perfect, explain how Lidge was
born
Nov 12, 2008 5:44 PM
Guest :
Lidge better get some votes. If nobodys perfect, explain how Lidge was
born
Nov 13, 2008 9:38 AM
Guest :
ryan howard produces more than anyone else in the league, he single
handedly put the phillies on his back in september (when it mattered most)
and carried them into the playoffs...how bout wright and delgado...&*^@
choke artists, you give howard his 2nd mvp because he produced more runs
than anyone else this year, and since thats how you WIN, it makes him more
valueable than anyone this year
Nov 13, 2008 3:40 PM
Guest :
Phillies going to have 3peat
Nov 15, 2008 8:41 PM
Guest :
Stop with the Ryan Howard for 2008 NL MVP already. He may not even make
the top 5.
48 Comments
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Sep 14, 2008
