I couldn't agree more, Dave.  <br>  (/wink)

In fact, you could make a case that Howard didn't deserve to be in the top 10 in voting.

And exactly one voter saw it that way. One out of 32.

Brad Lidge finished 8th, despite 2 first place votes. First off - 2 first place votes? ---??WHAT?? And 8th for a guy who got 2 first place votes must be some sort of record, I would think. 

Voters were consistent with Manny and Sabathia, at least....

Here are the results, courtesy of John Northey's favourite neon green site.

Gee, thanks Mike. The first post I make at my new place of sort-of employment and I get made fun of within 13 minutes! I blame it on Windows.

It's nice that Pujols won the award, even if its only because Howard and Lidge split the imbecile vote.

Of course their streak of accidental competence will probably soon come to an end as its unlikely either Sizemore or ARod is going to win the AL MVP.

To me the best part is that Lidge got 2 first place MVP votes, but didn't get any first place Cy Young votes.  Apparently Lidge is great at inspiring his teammates.

I was also amused that the Cy Young winner finished 5th among pitchers in the MVP.

I don't think Lidge is a particularly good example, but do think it's far easier to buy the idea of a dominant closer as MVP than as Cy Young winner.

It's approximately the same as a designated hitter winning the MVP (which, incidentally, I also think would be d-u-m) -- he gets maybe four chances to impact a game. A closer, I'm guessing here, might face five or six hitters around 70 times a season. So, hm, even there the DH has more chances to make an impact. But regardless, the closer is more of the everyday player and the starter is a class unto himself. I pretty much believe that, with incredibly rare exceptions (hello, Dennis Eckersley), the Cy Young Award should always go to a starting pitcher.

That the writers overwhelmingly thought that Ryan Howard was more valuable than Chase Utley is an indication of profound ignorance about the game.  Utley actually contributed a little more with the bat (3 fewer runs, but 25 fewer outs), but even if you call it a draw, the difference in their defensive value could not be greater and Utley runs better.  It is perfectly obvious that Utley was way, way more valuable to the Phils than Howard was. 

As far as I am concerned, the BBWAA ought to be ignored, or at least winners should be asterisked.  Albert Pujols, 2008 NL IBA MVP and *BBWAA MVP.  We can do the same with the Hall of Fame inductees.  The players are great, but the judges aren't. 

I wonder what the ballot looks like for the guy who put Pujols 7th?  I'd hope all 6 ahead of him were on playoff teams, otherwise I cannot see any argument for it (not that playoff vs non-playoff is a good one, but at least it is something).

Should've gone to BBTF first.  The guy who put Pujols 7th is at http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/34594194.html

Guys he put ahead of Pujols in order ...

1. Ryan Howard, Phil

2. CC Sabathia, Mil

3. Manny Ramirez, LA

4. Carlos Delgado, NY - missed playoffs, hit for a 179 OPS+ in September

5. Aramis Ramirez, Chi

6. Prince Fielder, Mil

Pujols was left to 7th due to his team not being in the playoff hunt and him not 'elevating his game' like the 6 listed above did.  Pujols had a 190 OPS+ for the SEASON and a 194 for September while injured.   Methinks this writer really needs to be kept away from the balloting process in the future.

More props for Utley.

But that’s not what this post is about. This post is about the guy who finished 15th in the NL MVP voting - Chase Utley. We’ve known for quite a while that Utley’s value was greatly underestimated by the average fan and the mainstream media, but this just drives the point home even further.

 

Congrats to Pujols for his overdue second MVP award. Glad to see the BBWAA got it right, even if Haricourt and others turned in ballots that will make you scratch your head.

In other news, the Jays lost Kelvin Jiminez on waivers to the White Sox. Jiminez, who had a couple of stints in the St. Louis bullpen last season, was claimed from the Cardinals earlier this offseason.

Pujols should've won in 2006, as well.  Sportswriters are morons.

"Sportswriters are morons."

Some, anyway. :)