National League MVP -- Final Answer?

1. Holliday
2. Rollins
3. Wright
4. Fielder
5. A. Ramirez
6. Byrnes
7. Chutley
8. H. Ramirez
9. Peavy
10. Garrett Atkins

 

Just FYI, here are some players with 50 HR seasons and did not crack the Top 3 in MVP voting:

• 2002 - Jim Thome, 7th (52 HR)
• 2001 - Alex Rodriguez, 6th (52)
• 2000 - Sammy Sosa, 9th (50)
• 1999 - Mark McGwire, 5th (65) & Sammy Sosa, 9th (63)
• 1998 - Greg Vaughn, 4th (50)* & Ken Griffey, Jr., 4th (56)
• 1996 - Mark McGwire, 7th (52) & Brady Anderson, no votes (50)**

* - San Diego Padres, NL champions; ** - Baltimore Orioles, 2nd AL East (4 games behind Yankees)

Obviously, you can make other arguments as to why each of these players weren't voted higher, let alone win the whole thing. My whole point that I try not to let home runs, or any one stat for that matter, dictate how I would vote. Yes, I am aware that you're taking into account Fielder's leadership skills (which are very good, especially considering his age) and the lack of consistent support around him. For, though, some of Fielder's stats could be better, he doesn't play as vital a position and he doesn't play it very well (right now). Hammer me with the East Coast Bias-charges all you want, but Fielder was not the MVP this season.

Rollins has put up mind-numbing numbers this year, plays one of the most important positions in the game, was the only constant in that Phillies lineup with the travails of Utley, Howard & Burrell, and he made that (in)famous quote about the Phils being the team to be in the NL East. Now he looks like Nostradamus with some wheels.

Wright's numbers are the best of all across the board, is a 30-30 player (youngest ever?), improved defensive play at 3B, the ONLY Met who hasn't shit the bed in September (.340/6/19), and is either the leader now or will be shortly of the Mets. How else can you explain him getting the team to get buzz-cuts earlier this season?

 

1) Rollins
1a) Wright
3) Fielder
4) Holliday
5) Soriano

 

I'm not sure Wright leading the Mets' buzz-cut brigade in April in May means anything in September.

 

Did Chris Young (DBacks) get to 30 steals? I know he was close this season.

 

I'm not saying Hanley is the MVP. That's absurd. He is not Alex Rodriguez with the Texas Rangers or Dawson with the Cubs. What I'm saying is that Hanley trumps Tulowitzki for the Silver Slugger award, easily.

In terms of the MVP voting, I wouldn't be surprised if Ramirez gets a point or two. But there's no way in hell he sniffs the top seven.

 

He's got 26, but his .236 average makes up for those four bags.

 

I think Hanley probably wins the Silver Slugger. And I believe Tulowitzki is the N.L. ROY.

 

Tulowitzki could very well win the Gold Glove, too. His fielding percentage is better than Rollins', Reyes' or Khalil Greene (very underrated defensive player). 11 errors as a rookie? Unreal.

 

Brandon Phillips is only the second 2nd baseman ever with 30 homers and 30 steals in a season.

 

Who's the first? Soriano?

 

Yes.