NorthJersey.com
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, NL: Ryan Howard, Phillies.
We’re prepared to face the firing squad on this one, having passed over Albert Pujols. But as unthinkably dangerous as the Cardinals’ slugger was, he couldn’t get his team to the postseason. Howard did.
Granted, Pujols had better season-long numbers. But Howard was in another reality in September, when impact players make their mark. While the Phillies were catching and passing the Mets (again), Howard batted .352 and hit 11 home runs — one every eight at-bats.
He finished the season with a mediocre .251 average, but otherwise led the majors with 48 HR and 146 RBI.
Honorable mention: Pujols, Chase Utley, Manny Ramirez, Ryan Braun.