Albert Pujols wins NL MVP

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals took the 2008 NL MVP honors Monday in front of the likes of Ryan Howard and Ryan Braun. Pujols batted .357 with 37 homeruns and 116 rbi. Ryan Howard of the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies finished second in voting, and the Brewers' Ryan Braun finished third. Manny Ramirez of the Dodgers finished fourth after some said he was indeed the MVP. Well if there was a MVP of the last two months, Ramirez would have won it unanimously. Ramirez like C.C. Sabathia couldn't have won the because they were traded to the national league during the season. Pujols was a solid choice for the honor, but Pujols himself declared indirectly that he didn't deserve the honor. Last year's MVP went to Ryan Howard of the Phillies. Well, Pujols complained that the MVP should go to a player on a playoff team. Howard and the Phillies missed the playoffs last year, while Pujols and the Cardinals did make the playoffs. Well the reverse happened in 2008. Pujols wins the MVP, while his team didn't make the playoffs. This creates the debate that a player must be on a playoff team to win the award. I personally disagree with that philosophy. I think the MVP should go to the player who is the most valuable to his team's success. If I had a vote for the NL MVP, I would have given my first place vote to Ryan Braun.