Speaking out of frustration will get you in trouble every time. Now, Albert Pujols, who had some mean things to say about Ryan Howard winning the National League MVP is taking back his words.
Shortly after it was announced that Howard won the award, Pujols told reporters at a press conference organized by the Dominican Republic’s sports ministry that the MVP trophy should not go to a player who failed to make the playoffs.
“I feel so bad because I love Ryan Howard. I never said he didn’t deserve the MVP. He is deserving of that award. He earned it. That’s why he got it,” said Pujols.
Howard, who plays first base for the Philadelphia Phillies, indeed failed to lead his team to the postseason, but the Phillies finished with two more regular season wins than the Cardinals did. The St. Louis native did lead the majors in home runs (58) and RBI (149) while hitting .313. Pujols batted .331 with 49 homers and 137 RBI, but missed almost a month of the season with a strained oblique.
Howard received 20 first-place votes for MVP and 388 points by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Pujols got 12 first-place votes and 347 points.
