Ryan Howard Is NL MVP

[MannyBeltre]

NEW YORK -- Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies was voted the National League's Most Valuable Player on Monday after leading the majors in home runs and RBI, beating out the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols for the honor.

Howard received 20 first-place votes and 12 seconds for 388 points in balloting by a panel of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Pujols got 12 firsts, 19 seconds and one third for 347 points.

"It's definitely a relief. It's a good birthday present," said Howard, who turned 27 Sunday.

Howard, the 2005 NL Rookie of the Year, had 58 homers and 149 RBI while batting .313. He had the most homers in the major leagues since Barry Bonds hit a record 73 in 2001.

He set Phillies records for home runs and RBI, producing the highest totals in those categories in big league history for a second-year player. Twenty-three of Howard's homers put the Phillies ahead and five tied games. The Phillies went 32-18 in games in which he homered.

Howard didn't make it up to the major leagues for good until July 1, 2005, when Jim Thome went on the disabled list.

"It's been a fun ride," he said. "You can't really just sit there and kind of dwell on what's gone on in the past and all that kind of stuff and what's going to happen as far as being traded or what my future was with the Phillies. The only thing I could have done was just go out and play and let everything else just kind of sort itself out."

Howard may have been helped by Philadelphia's surprising second-half push. He hit .355 with 30 homers and 78 RBI in second half as the Phillies fell three wins short of the NL wild-card berth.

"People were talking about the trades that were made, how we were kind of written off," he said.

Pujols, who hit .331 with 49 homers and 137 RBI, defeated Atlanta's Andruw Jones 378-351 in last year's voting after finishing second in 2002 and 2003. Stan Musial and Ted Williams (four times each) are the only players to finish second more often than Pujols, who matched three-time AL MVP Mickey Mantle with three second-place finishes.

Pujols was third in the NL in batting average behind Pittsburgh's Freddy Sanchez and Florida's Miguel Cabrera, and second to Howard in homers and RBI.

"To be able to be in that kind of company and just being able to compete with a guy like Albert is, I guess, a feat in itself and it's an honor because what he's done," Howard said.

Stan Musial (four times), Ted Williams (four times) are the only players to finish second more often than Pujols, who matched three-time AL MVP Mickey Mantle with three second-place finishes.

Houston's Lance Berkman was third with 230 points, followed by the New York Mets' Carlos Beltran (211), Cabrera (170) and Washington's Alfonso Soriano (106) -- who on Sunday reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract with the Chicago Cubs worth about $136 million.

Pujols gets a $100,000 bonus for finishing second, Berkman $250,000 for placing third and Beltran $200,000 for winding up fourth.


2006 NL MVP Voting
Player 1st 2nd 3rd Pts
Ryan Howard, Phillies 20 12 -- 388
Albert Pujols, Cardinals 12 19 1 347
Lance Berkman, Astros -- -- 21 230
Carlos Beltran, Mets -- 1 5 211
Miguel Cabrera, Marlins -- -- 2 170
Alfonso Soriano, Nats -- -- 1 106
Jose Reyes, Mets -- -- 1 98
Chase Utley, Phillies -- -- -- 98
David Wright, Mets -- -- 1 70
Trevor Hoffman, Padres -- -- -- 46
Scoring: 14 points for first place, nine for second, eight for third and on down to one for 10th.
Others receiving votes: Andruw Jones (29), Carlos Delgado (23), Nomar Garciaparra (18), Rafael Furcal (11), Garrett Atkins (10), Matt Holliday (10), Aramis Ramirez (5), Freddy Sanchez (5), Chris Carpenter (4), Chipper Jones (3), Mike Cameron (2), Jimmy Rollins (2), Bronson Arroyo (1), Jason Bay (1).

I agree with Howard getting it, because he put the Phillies in playoff contention, even after the trade of Abreu when the were "giving up". Even better, he is on my keeper fantasy team.

But lol at some of those guys getting votes. Bronson Arroyo? Garret Atkins? Mike Cameron? I must say I am suprised Beltran finished fourth, I thought he was a lock for 3rd.

[sg_allstater]

I honestly disagree, because Pujols won so many games for the cardinals. Look at the intangables and you must give it to Albert. I know Howard hit 58 hrs and 132 rbis, but look at a few stats they don't won't you to know. He stuck out 2nd most in the league,he also hit 250 with runners in scoring postion. Now lets look at sir phat albert who has started his career as the best in the history of the mlb. It's pathetic he only had 1 mvp, and like 5 2nd place finishes. Albert stuck out a total of 51 times, and hit over 400 with runners in scoring postion. He also had like 40 game winning rbis. 2nd place dude had like 20 or so if i remember right. He also won the gold glove.

[btcs41]

Thanks for the commentary, homer. You disagree with all of the professional baseball minds that voted for Ryan? They must all have been from Philly.

If only the Phils could get someone to hit behind Ryan...

[SheriffBooth]

I'm actually surprised Atkins didn't finish higher. He had an awesome year for the Rockies, better than David Wright.

[georgiafan]

Originally Posted by SheriffBooth

I'm actually surprised Atkins didn't finish higher. He had an awesome year for the Rockies, better than David Wright.

But Atkins doesn't play for New York and wasn't hyped by ESPN.

I'm a big braves fan, but How did Chipper get 3 votes ?

Howard had a good year I don't have a problem with him getting it over Pujols

[sg_allstater]

I hate how the gay voters care more about stats, than what really matter is clutch. If you are 2nd in the league in k's no way in hell you deserve the mvp in my opinion. Also Pujols does way more than howard will ever do imo.