Pujols wins the NL MVP award

Albert Pujols was announced the NL-MVP today. He earned 18 first place votes.

Pujols hit 37 HRs this season with 116 RBIs and a .357 AVG despite playing with a sore elbow all season long. He really did carry a mediocre Cardinals team to an 86 win season, keeping them in the playoff race in every part of the season but the last month.

Ryan Howard finished 2nd with 12 fist place votes. Howard hit 48 HRs, including a monster September, driving the Phillies to the playoffs with 11 HRs and 32 RBIs on a 1.308 OPS in the month.

Interesting note - Brad Lidge earned two first place votes, finishing 41/41 in saves on the season. I think a relief pitcher should never earn first place votes for the MVP award.