The post-season snubs continue for the World Champion Cardinals. This time it was Albert Pujols that was overlooked in favor of another St. Louisan. Lafayette High School alum Ryan Howard was voted National League MVP after leading the majors in home runs and RBI.
Howard, who won the NL Rookie of the Year, hit .313 with 58 home runs and 149 RBI. He also won the Home Run Derby during the All Star Game. Voters gave Howard 20 first-place votes and 12 seconds for a total of 388 points. Pujols finished right behind Howard with 12 firsts and 19 seconds for a 347 total.
Howard crushed the ball all over Major League ballparks. His hottest month was August, go figure, when he hit 14 homers.
Pujols definitely had an MVP caliber season. The Gold Glove first baseman hit .331 with 49 home runs and 137 RBI. One of the downfalls for Pujols was the amount of games he missed due to a strained oblique muscle. This is the third time Pujols has been the first runner-up. He won the award last season after finishing in second in 2002 and 2003.