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09-17-2002, 04:39 PM
09/16/2002 3:57 pm ET
MLBeat: Pujols La Russa's MVP
By Jared Hoffman and Matthew Leach / MLB.com
Ask Cardinals manager Tony La Russa who the NL MVP is, and he doesn't hesitate: Albert Pujols.
"If you ask me, the answer is, [Pujols] is the MVP," said La Russa. "I'd say he's tied for first with anybody else you want to consider."
It is not a tough argument to make. Pujols has been the most consistent player on a team that has spent the entire second half of the season in first place. Pujols leads the Cardinals in almost every offensive category, including batting average (.312), runs (109), hits (170), doubles (35), homers (32), and RBIs (115). He also has more walks (65) than strikeouts (62).
La Russa said there is one thing the team needs to do to make sure Pujols gets proper consideration: play baseball in October.
"For Albert to have a chance, we have to qualify for the playoffs," said La Russa. "I think we learned in 1998 that, unless your team gets into the playoffs, you can't be MVP. It cost Mark [McGwire] the MVP, so it's going to cost whoever else doesn't get in, unless there are no other candidates. But you look at Albert's year -- he's legitimate."
In 1998, McGwire set a Major League record with 70 homers. He also led the NL in slugging percentage (.752) and on-base percentage (.470), while hitting .299 with 130 runs and 147 RBIs. However, Sammy Sosa, who also had a spectacular season by hitting .308 with 66 homers and a league-leading 158 RBIs was selected MVP. The Cubs didn't win the NL Central but did go 90-73 and were the NL Wild Card.
Since 1988, the only NL player to be named MVP of a non-playoff team was Barry Bonds in 1993 and 2001. Bonds could win his third MVP playing for a non-playoff team. The Giants will need to beat out the Dodgers for the Wild Card to reach the postseason, but Bonds, who leads the NL by wide margins in hitting (.372), slugging percentage (.805) and on-base percentage (.578), figures to get heavy consideration either way.
You can't blame Cardinals fans for being a bit confused when it comes to MVP criteria. Playing for the 1987 NL champs, Ozzie Smith hit .303 with 104 runs, 43 stolen bases and 75 RBIs (without the benefit of a homerun) but finished second in NL MVP voting to Andre Dawson, who hit .287 with 49 homers and 137 RBIs for the last-place Cubs.
Pujols has a chance to sweeten his MVP resumé this week with a series at hitter-friendly Coors Field, followed by a weekend series against the Astros, a series in which the Cards could clinch the NL Central.
MLBeat: Pujols La Russa's MVP
By Jared Hoffman and Matthew Leach / MLB.com
Ask Cardinals manager Tony La Russa who the NL MVP is, and he doesn't hesitate: Albert Pujols.
"If you ask me, the answer is, [Pujols] is the MVP," said La Russa. "I'd say he's tied for first with anybody else you want to consider."
It is not a tough argument to make. Pujols has been the most consistent player on a team that has spent the entire second half of the season in first place. Pujols leads the Cardinals in almost every offensive category, including batting average (.312), runs (109), hits (170), doubles (35), homers (32), and RBIs (115). He also has more walks (65) than strikeouts (62).
La Russa said there is one thing the team needs to do to make sure Pujols gets proper consideration: play baseball in October.
"For Albert to have a chance, we have to qualify for the playoffs," said La Russa. "I think we learned in 1998 that, unless your team gets into the playoffs, you can't be MVP. It cost Mark [McGwire] the MVP, so it's going to cost whoever else doesn't get in, unless there are no other candidates. But you look at Albert's year -- he's legitimate."
In 1998, McGwire set a Major League record with 70 homers. He also led the NL in slugging percentage (.752) and on-base percentage (.470), while hitting .299 with 130 runs and 147 RBIs. However, Sammy Sosa, who also had a spectacular season by hitting .308 with 66 homers and a league-leading 158 RBIs was selected MVP. The Cubs didn't win the NL Central but did go 90-73 and were the NL Wild Card.
Since 1988, the only NL player to be named MVP of a non-playoff team was Barry Bonds in 1993 and 2001. Bonds could win his third MVP playing for a non-playoff team. The Giants will need to beat out the Dodgers for the Wild Card to reach the postseason, but Bonds, who leads the NL by wide margins in hitting (.372), slugging percentage (.805) and on-base percentage (.578), figures to get heavy consideration either way.
You can't blame Cardinals fans for being a bit confused when it comes to MVP criteria. Playing for the 1987 NL champs, Ozzie Smith hit .303 with 104 runs, 43 stolen bases and 75 RBIs (without the benefit of a homerun) but finished second in NL MVP voting to Andre Dawson, who hit .287 with 49 homers and 137 RBIs for the last-place Cubs.
Pujols has a chance to sweeten his MVP resumé this week with a series at hitter-friendly Coors Field, followed by a weekend series against the Astros, a series in which the Cards could clinch the NL Central.