Albert Pujols MVP controversy

cubfanindy · Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:45 pm Post subject:

Did you hear about this? Albert Pujols was complaining Wednesday about Ryan Howard winning the National League MVP Award instead of him. Pujols said that “Someone who doesn’t take his team to the playoffs doesn’t deserve to win the MVP.”

Now, you could make a strong case for Pujols, but if you’re looking at it from a statistical standpoint, it would be hard to say Ryan Howard doesn’t deserve it. Howard hit .313 with 58 home runs and 149 RBI. Pujols did have a better batting average, .331, but “only” hit 49 homers with 137 RBI. Awful! Back to the minors you go, Al!

As per his statement though, stats aren’t the real focus. Winning is. It’s an old argument, with a strong case on either side. I remember when Andre Dawson won the NL in 1987 as a Cub and they finished last. A-Rod won it in the American League in 2003 when his Rangers finished dead last. I believe those are the only two guys who have done that, off the top of my head. The argument against them winning it is this – How valuable could they have possibly been if their team finished last? Would they have somehow finished worst than last without him? The argument for, and just as persuasive is – Should a great player be penalized because he plays on a bad team? It’s a team sport, and it takes more than one guy to win. If that player has an incredible statistical season, above and beyond what everyone else has, shouldn’t he have a right to win the MVP more than a player on a winning team who didn’t play as well?
Tough call. Again, it’s easy to argue for either side.

Here’s my problem with Pujols’ logic, though – why does it have to be “playoffs?” The Cardinals made the playoffs, and the Phillies didn’t, but the Phillies actually won TWO MORE GAMES than the Cardinals! Not only that, but they did it in a much stronger division!!!
So, according to Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard does not deserve to win the MVP, despite his teams winning more games, and beating better opponents than the Cardinals. During the regular season, which is what the MVP award is for, the Phillies were a better team than the Cardinals.

I wonder if Pujols was aware of that when he made his statements? Is he just so used to the Cardinals having a strangle hold on a weak National League Central division that he no longer pays attention to team records? I don’t think Albert Pujols is a bad guy by any stretch. I’m chalking this one up to him not knowing the facts before he speaks, being emotional because he really wanted to win the MVP (who wouldn’t?), and pouting a little.