Pujols Says MVP Should Be On Playoff Team

[KFDM COOP]

Snubbed Pujols says MVP should be on playoff teamAssociated Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Albert Pujols thinks he was snubbed.

The St. Louis Cardinals' slugger is upset he lost out to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard for the National League MVP award, saying Wednesday the honor should go to someone on a playoff team.

"I see it this way: Someone who doesn't take his team to the playoffs doesn't deserve to win the MVP," Pujols said in Spanish at a news conference organized by the Dominican Republic's sports ministry.

Pujols led the Cardinals to the NL Central title this year and their first World Series championship since 1982. Howard and the Phillies missed the playoffs -- though they won two more regular-season games than St. Louis.

The Dominican-born Pujols batted .331 with 49 home runs and 137 RBI, while Howard hit .313 with 58 homers and 149 RBI.

Howard got 20 first-place votes for MVP and 388 points in balloting by a panel of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Pujols received 12 first-place votes and 347 points. Voting is conducted before the postseason.

Pujols, the 2005 NL MVP, said he has bigger dreams -- a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. The BBWAA also votes for the Hall of Fame.

"It is still early, but it is a dream I have," Pujols said. "My hope is that in good time I will have sufficient numbers to get to Cooperstown."

Pujols praised several moves the Cardinals have made this offseason, including signing second baseman Adam Kennedy and pitcher Kip Wells. The slugger noted that his club had been hoping to land fellow Dominican star Alfonso Soriano, who instead agreed to a $136 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

"I thought we were going to sign Soriano, but it wasn't possible. We also intended to trade for him during the season, but the Nationals wanted too much for him," Pujols said.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

[Guest Diva]

Wah, Wah...big baby! Even though there may be some truth to what he's saying, you certainly shouldn't open your big mouth and tout yourself to the media! :roll: Pretty classless.

[Guest Orangeboy]

The guy has deserved that award for awhile, those stupid sportswriters kept giving it to Bonds though. But this year I think you could have flipped a coin between Pujols and Howard. Both had great seasons. I am a little shocked to see Pujols comment like this, he usually is a standup guy. HE'S STILL THE MAN.

[Champion]

I think Berkman should have on it! Maybe its a homer pick but that guy is good!

[Guest emonarch777]

dont matter who got it as long as it wasnt Barry Steroids Bond

[baddog]

I think the best way to decide this is to imagine that the game is on the line, there are two outs, and your last out is up to bat. Forget batting avgs. and HRs, who do you want to bat in that situation? I want Pujols!!

I really don't have a problem with a player complaining when he has a legitimate shot at the MVP, however I don't think it should matter whether you're on a playoff team or not. Pujols is a class act and this is the first time I have ever heard of him being considered classless. He has always won with grace and lost with dignity. I wish Pujols was on my Astros!!!

[tvc184]

This is the yearly debate of the meaning of MVP and it is from high schools to the pros. What does MVP mean? Does it really mean the most "valuable" player or does it mean the player that performed the best?

If you stick by the actual title Most "Valuable" Player, then I think the player should be on a playoff team. If you are the best player in the league but your team ends up in last place, how valuable were you? Your team could not have gotten last place without you? That is where awards such as offensive or defensive player of the year should be given. It doesn't matter where your team ended, you were still the most effective player at your skill.

What has happened is that the MVP has become synonymous with best player not the most valuable player. If they really want the award to be the best player, why don't they title it as such?

[Guest JoesBros]

I wouldnt be whining if I didnt get the MVP since I just got a FREAKING WORLD SERIES RING!!

[tvc184]

I wouldnt be whining if I didnt get the MVP since I just got a FREAKING WORLD SERIES RING!!

When you are a popular professional player making millions of dollars a year, I don't think you have much room to whine about anything.