Did you hear?
St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols complained to the media that he was snubbed out of winning the National League MVP award.
Oh boo hoo.
Upon losing to Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, he said “Someone who doesn’t take his team to the playoffs, doesn’t deserve to win MVP.”
Wow! Did Albert think this? Or actually say it out loud?
‘Cuz that sounds like something you say in your incy bitsy tiny weeny voice when you are in the privacy of your own home or with close-personal friends…but NOT to the media.
In general, okay, I might agree with his statement about MVP’s coming from contending teams. But let’s look at a couple of things more closely – including the audacity of his statement.
First off– stat-wise it’s a toss up:Pujols batted .331 with 49 HRs and 137 RBI’s. / Howard hit .313 with 58 HRs and 149 RBI’s.
Yes, Pujols led his team to their first World Series title since 1982, while the Phillies missed the playoffs by 2 games (even though they were in the hunt until the season’s final hours).
But, my dear Albert, remember that the awards are actually voted upon before the Post Season begins (which btw, is a HUGE pet peeve of mine – that the post season isn’t included in the voting process, since much of the time, the play during this period would drastically affect a voter’s decision. But that’s another story)
… And at this time, the Cardinals backed…no backward crawled…no, they were pushed backwards in a backward-crawler’s stance into the playoffs.
Most predicted a fast exit from the Playoffs at the hands of the Padres…or at the very least a pathetic showing and an eventual early departure from the post season.
Nobody, but nobody expected the Cardinals to advance to the Series, let alone WIN it!
To be honest, I still have problems accepting the fact that they won.
They weren’t the best team last year … and in some eyes they weren’t even worthy of qualifying for the post season. What they were – was the hottest team at the most perfect of times. Case in point, they were carried by Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan to the Series – players who will now get HUGE, outrageous contracts from a couple of foolish, slightly off-their-rocker ball clubs. And I’m willing to go out on the limb and say, their numbers revert back closer to their pre-post season average-ness.
What makes Pujols’ comment so hypocritical is the fact that the Phillies had a better record than the Cardinals.
Records-
Phillies: 85-77 Cardinals: 83-78
What say you about that Mr. Pujols?
In fact, the Cardinals finished one, count them, one game better than the 2005 San Diego Padres (82-80).
Yes, the same ball club that most of America ridiculed and threw conniption fits over because they were a ‘disgrace to the post season’ and an ‘embarrassment to the game’.
The Cardinals were one game better. And quite frankly, with the way their season unfolded, lucky to even be that.
The team was NOT good heading into the playoffs. They were bad. And for the life of me, can’t understand why St. Louis escaped the same bad-mouthing the Padres received (Yes, I know the Cardinals got the whole ‘will they choke and blow a huge lead’ media coverage during the final week of the season. But that’s not the same as saying the Padres were ‘the worse team ever to make the post season’).
So you see, Albert, the Cardinals weren’t viewed as any better than the Phillies heading into the post season. Some may say, that for all intensive purposes, YOUR team didn’t really qualify for the post season.
Heck, had Roger Clemens decided to come back a few weeks earlier than he did, we might be talking about Houston instead.
Record-wise, in any other division or in any other year, you would be lucky to just finish Third place, let alone First.
Not to bring up the point that you won the division with a worse record than the Wildcard (But I just did).
Or the point that the Phillies would have won your division (leaving you to watch the playoffs at home on the tube) had you switched divisions. (Whoops, did that too!)
But enough about that — my small mini-double-bacon-cheeseburger-beef with Pujols has nothing to do with him as a player, because I think he’s the top player in the game today …slightly edging Geoff Blum ;) . No my beef is about his complaining to the media about his second place finish.
Sour grapes.
Man, if I had say, I’d probably have voted him MVP over Howard. I’ll be honest. But whining about not winning the award is kinda like giving yourself a nickname…or naming your own blog (say what?).
You just don’t do it! You don’t hear the Yankees’ Derek Jeter complaining about his not winning the American league prize, do you? And he was certainly the favorite for that award, ahead of a Minnesota Twin who arguably wasn’t even the best player on his own team this past season.
The truth of the matter is, both Pujols and Howard were extremely worthy candidates. If anything Albert, complain about the timing of the voting process. Pressure the powers that be to schedule the voting after the World Series.
Switching Gears…
TO THE HARDWOOD —- and a little NBA.
Every once in a while I get the inkling to make lists, compare and contrast and rate things. So this is what I came up with today!
RANKING THE DIVISIONS: (E = Eastern Conference / W= Western Conference)
1. Pacific (W)
From top to bottom, the most solid of the divisions. And if Golden State proves they are for real, then every one of these teams are legitimate playoff contenders. In fact as of tip-off today, every team in the division sports a .500 or better record. Phoenix seems to have righted their ship and now resume their journey once again as serious Title contenders. The Clippers can also go deep… and the Lakers are proving that their post-season outburst last year was no joke.
Phoenix, LA. Lakers, LA. Clippers, Sacramento, Golden State.
2. Southwest (W)
This division is top heavy. Two leading Title caliber teams in the SAME division…and a third, Houston, who not only has the top Center in the league (Sorry Miami), but also the potential to go deep. And the Hornets are no walk in the park either. Memphis brings down the division’s overall rank.
Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans, Memphis.
3. Central (E)
Another top to bottom consistent group. They’re are no push-overs here. But at the same time, every team is beatable. Cleveland and Detroit seem to be the class of the division and challengers to represent the Eastern Conference come trophy time. Chicago, seems to be under-achieving and not quite ready for primetime yet. But the season’s still early and if they can turn things around, this division becomes THAT MUCH tougher.
Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Indiana, Milwaukee.
4. Southeast (E)
This is a tough group to judge. Has Atlanta turned a page (in terms of being competitive)? Orlando looks legit and are playing very very good ball right now – but can they keep it up? Can Grant Hill stay healthy? Washington has struggled early, but should turn it around and compete for a playoff spot. But the defending champs, despite their struggles, are still around, and remain the Class of this division.
Orlando, Miami, Washington, Atlanta, Charlotte
5. Northwest (W)
Utah has been the surprise of the League thus far. And Denver has Carmelo. But the rest of the division doesn’t exactly shoot shivers down the NBA’s collective spine. Though, on any give night Seattle, Portland and Minnesota can still bite.
Utah, Denver, Seattle, Minnesota, Portland.
6. Atlantic (E)
No team with a winning record. Not one. In fact, no team with a winning percentage over .400. We could be talking about the Worse Division in recent memory. Case in point, the Knicks are only one game out. If New Jersey doesn’t run away with the prize, their fans should all jump on a sinking boat…or move to Utah 
New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Toronto.
Before we go…
QUICK BASEBALL TIDBIT:
Supposedly (a source said) at the Season-Ticket Holder’s meeting tonight in San Diego: Sandy Aldersen and Kevin Towers announced that Geoff Blum signed a deal with the Padres (will be announced Friday). Ooooooooh!
And, said the source, the club hasn’t yet ruled out Mark Loretta or Ray Durham for second base…but that Tony ‘grafineener’ Graffanino is the leading candidate at this point to fill the position. We shall see…
Oh, and they said, they are indeed very interested in Barry Zito…but this Agent Scott Boras, is asking for about $20 mil/year…so at that price, he isn’t a realistic possibility for the Petco Park boys.
Oh hum. Most importantly, however, they told everyone Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez are not going anywhere. I think the source said they ‘promised’. Again, we’ll see…
So stay tuned…the Winter Meetings are right around the corner…
If time, tomorrow – football picks!!!!!!! :)
That’s it for today folks—-enjoy NOT being able to watch the BENGALS VS RAVENS Football Fans! 
