Albert Pujols named NL MVP

by Adam J. Morris on Nov 17, 2008 1:31 PM CST

Albert Pujols has been named the NL MVP.

Good. He deserved it.

UPDATE -- The vote totals are here. Manny finished 4th, Sabathia 6th.

Tim Lincecum only got 9 total points. I'm trying to figure out how he can finish 1st in the Cy Young, but finished behind Sabathia, Lidge, Santana, and Webb in the MVP voting.

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I would have guessed Howard

based on my semi-reliable system.

Nolan Ryan is the Greatest Pitcher ever, because Google says so.

"BTW I’m officially welching ab03. Yeah I planned too all along, but I figured I’d try to get off the hook with double or nothing first."- Sharky

by DJCahill on Nov 17, 2008 1:33 PM CST reply actions

The NL MVP goes to a different Philly every year has had 100% accuracy for the last two seasons, and would have predicted Chase Utley this year. Of course, he finished a pathetic 15th or so. I guess my system got closest with Brad Lidge.

Dave Cameron doesn’t like that.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/chase-utley-is-good/#comment-52397

by JBImaknee on Nov 17, 2008 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

My system

is look at the RBI leader, and if his team makes the playoffs, guess that he will win.

Nolan Ryan is the Greatest Pitcher ever, because Google says so.

"BTW I’m officially welching ab03. Yeah I planned too all along, but I figured I’d try to get off the hook with double or nothing first."- Sharky

by DJCahill on Nov 17, 2008 2:58 PM CST up reply actions

That's probably the best simple system

I think there needs to be an “ARod” caveat to it – if someone dominates the major power stats, it doesn’t matter where his team finishes.

by JBImaknee on Nov 17, 2008 3:23 PM CST up reply actions

Wow, they made the right choice.

I’m shocked.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

MVP votes are the new OBP.

by thedirkatron on Nov 17, 2008 1:45 PM CST reply actions

+1

"I would say that our gaping hole isn’t nearly as gaping as the A’s hole [was] or Mariner’s would be." - tyd3311

by LSJ on Nov 17, 2008 9:18 PM CST up reply actions

Good for him

The right man won. On the other hand, I’m a little surprised how low Berkman ended on the list.

by Stephen Rushin on Nov 17, 2008 1:51 PM CST reply actions

I'm not surprised

I’m more surprised that a guy from a non playoff team like St Louis won the award. There is a huge chunk of the BBWAA that only seems to vote for playoff players.

Nolan Ryan is the Greatest Pitcher ever, because Google says so.

"BTW I’m officially welching ab03. Yeah I planned too all along, but I figured I’d try to get off the hook with double or nothing first."- Sharky

by DJCahill on Nov 17, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

Are you surprised about Sabathia?

Its the most valuable player award. Stupid sportswriters figured that since Sabathia was important to Milwaukee for a few months of the season and since Milwaukee won the wild card, Sabathia was more valuable than a guy like Lincecum who is a loser playing for a bunch of losers.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Nov 17, 2008 2:05 PM CST reply actions

People who voted for Lincecum for Cy Young

probably are among those who think pitchers shouldn’t win the MVP (and thus didn’t have him on their ballot)?

by cjcheng on Nov 17, 2008 2:15 PM CST reply actions

Ya, but Sabathia was ahead of him...

And Lincecum crushed them in the Cy Young vote. The only justification could have been that the Brewers went to the playoffs and the Giants were miserable

by BuckyB on Nov 17, 2008 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

As far as I'm concerned

that is a fair justification. Sabathia took a Brewers team to the playoffs, and they most certainly would not have been there otherwise. Manny Ramirez did the same thing in 2 months for the Dodgers – I’m pretty sure his 2 month production didn’t outweigh what Berkman did a whole season.

Lincecum’s contribution was taking the Giants out of the race for Stephen Strasburg. If anything, he hurt the organization by winning that Cy Young.

by JBImaknee on Nov 17, 2008 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

hey ajm

i always thought it was sergio ‘mee-threy’..

is it sergio ‘my-tur’?

Jindal '12

by Longhorn on Nov 17, 2008 3:51 PM CST reply actions

I'm going with

Sir-gy-o Mitt-ree.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Nov 17, 2008 8:38 PM CST up reply actions

how much value would the Giants have lost

if Lincecum wasn’t on that team? I think Bonds’ departure plays into the equation…he was unquestionable to the Giants’ success. Lincecum has the numbers and the wins, but did it do anything for that team? Does it make sense? Did Pujols’ numbers do anything for his team? No. But we’re talking pitcher vs. pitcher here. Lincecum is obviously more valuable to the Giants than Sabathia was to the Indians, but C.C. had the late season push and dominance that propelled the Brew Crew into the playoffs. Sort of a “what have you done for me lately?” vs. the steady, slow consistent approach. Maybe that’s why the two Cy Youngs were from non-playoff teams and why at the same time Lincecum and Lee don’t get higher consideration for MVP in their respective leagues in comparison to other pitchers.

"Calmer than you are... "

by Walter Sobchak on Nov 17, 2008 6:06 PM CST reply actions

"how much value would the Giants have lost if Lincecum wasn’t on that team?"

Probably about 7-9 wins or so. Assuming he’s replaced with a replacement-level player.

Did Pujols’ numbers do anything for his team? No.

What?! They did a ton. His “numbers” did more for his team than any other player in baseball did for his team. By a wide margin.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 17, 2008 6:55 PM CST up reply actions

Then once again...

let’s just rename the award Best Player from a Playoff Team. Or: BPfaPT, if you will.

It’s almost as catchy!

by ghostofErikThompson on Nov 17, 2008 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

so, who should win the AL MVP?

Arod?

Jindal '12

by Longhorn on Nov 17, 2008 8:43 PM CST reply actions

i really dont think

there’s a real deserving candidate this year, not big on pedroia, morneau or quentin

i wouldnt mind seeing lee win it since he was dominant and there was no clear cut winners

what ive seen from many statheads was that grady sizemore was completely dominant but if u were to choose from a contending team, mauer is a clearcut choice (though morneaus on the surface #’s look prettier)

by studcrackers on Nov 17, 2008 8:50 PM CST up reply actions

I think hamilton could have stolen it with 10 more rbis. oh well.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DShep on Nov 17, 2008 8:51 PM CST up reply actions

My opinion

It’s between Quentin and A-Rod. Quentin went .288/.394/.571 this year (148 OPS+) and A-Rod went .302/.392/.573 (150 OPS+). I don’t like AssRod of course, meaning I’d personally vote for Quentin, but the ‘Rod had more PA’s and the better VORP (top in the AL in fact). Honorable mention should would go to Milton Bradley of course (.321/.436/.563, 163 OPS+) but considering he has about 60 PA’s less than Quentin and nearly 90 less than A-Rod, he’s kind of disqualified.

Disclaimer: this of course is just based on some basic stats – I’m sure there’s some other folks here who could give a better estimation that mine by getting into heavier stats (like WPA, or whatever the stat I’m thinking of is called) – so if anyone feels like doing so, please do.

"I would say that our gaping hole isn’t nearly as gaping as the A’s hole [was] or Mariner’s would be." - tyd3311

by LSJ on Nov 17, 2008 9:37 PM CST up reply actions

i also think

bradley’s defensive non-contribution takes him down a notch.

to me quentin was the logical choice until he got hurt (same could be argued for kinsler). i think a-rod is deserving but likely will face some anti-Arod bias and anti-non playoff team bias. i really hope pedroia doesnt win it, thats what matters to me.

by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Nov 18, 2008 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

Pedroia, Lee, Youkilis, Sizemore, maybe Halliday.

I’d endorse Pedroia, but not strongly.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 17, 2008 9:51 PM CST up reply actions

Oh yeah, or Mauer.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 17, 2008 9:52 PM CST up reply actions

OT: McNabb

You know how he said he doesn’t really want to think about what would happen with a tie in the playoffs?

Um. . . does he not watch game film or something? A team won in double OT the week before facing his team in the title game. He really didn’t catch that fact?

No wonder he got smacked around.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 17, 2008 9:49 PM CST reply actions

he's not very bright

Jindal '12

by Longhorn on Nov 17, 2008 9:54 PM CST up reply actions

Also out of shape!

Did you see him huffin the other day just like in the Super Bowl when they should have gotten a play off before the 2 minute warning?

by BuckyB on Nov 17, 2008 11:33 PM CST up reply actions

If he had just said he remembered the double OT playoff game and assumed there was always doublt OT it would have been.. better.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DShep on Nov 17, 2008 10:14 PM CST up reply actions

No doubt.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Nov 17, 2008 10:15 PM CST up reply actions

Does Quinn have it in him?

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by octoberty on Nov 17, 2008 10:38 PM CST reply actions

Jeff at Lookout Landing on the NL MVP vote.

It’s insane. It is inexcusable and completely insane. Brad Lidge? Ryan flipping Howard? It just – …no. You know who would’ve been a better first-place vote than Ryan Howard? Randy Winn. Or Brad Hawpe. Maybe even Fred diddly God damn Lewis. There were literally dozens of more valuable players in the NL this year than Ryan Howard. Howard finished second. 13 slots ahead of Chase Utley, who was the better player by at least like three or four wins. This is the stuff migraines are made of. Somewhere out there, between 14-32 BBWAA NL MVP voters are trying to get cheaper winter heating by drilling a hole in the microwave.

This is great.

by JBImaknee on Nov 18, 2008 11:58 AM CST reply actions