Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols unanimously won his third NL MVP Award Tuesday, adding on to the awards total for NL Central players this offseason. (AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)
St. Louis Cardinals superstar slugger Albert Pujols was unanimously voted the 2009 NL MVP Tuesday after receiving all 32 first-place votes and a total of 448 in the Baseball Writers' Association of America balloting.
Pujols, 29, continues to be an exceptional ambassador to Major League Baseball, winning his second straight MVP Award and third overall in his nine-year career.
At one point, Pujols was a legitimate Triple Crown candidate, but ultimately ended up leading the majors in home runs (47), runs (124), intentional walks (44) and slugging percentage (.658).
Also, he ranked second in the National League behind Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada with 45 doubles, and third in batting average (.327) and RBI (135).
In addition to being a World Series winner (2006), Glove Glover (2006) and eight-time All-Star selection, Pujols has distinguished himself among elite company, joining Hall of Famers Stan Musial, Roy Campanella and Mike Schmidt, as well as former superstar Barry Bonds, as the only players to win at least three NL MVP Awards.
Along with Pujols, Bonds, Orlando Cepeda, Schmidt, Jeff Bagwell and Ken Caminiti represent the only unanimous NL MVP winners in MLB history.
Although the NL Central gets criticized for being one of the weaker divisions in Major League Baseball, it's filled with superstar position players, All-Star starting pitchers, standout closer and successful managers.
"It's an unappreciated division," Milwaukee Brewers manager Ken Macha said. "Each of the teams have a couple of standouts, which makes things exciting."
The BBWAA rewarded several NL Central players this offseason while rounding out the 2009 MLB Awards categories.
Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina was awarded his second straight NL Gold Glove, while Astros outfielder Michael Bourn and Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright won their first.
Furthermore, Cardinals right-handers' Chris Carpenter and Wainwright finished second and third, respectfully, behind San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum in the NL Cy Young Award voting.
In addition to winning the NL MVP, Pujols recently earned his fifth NL Silver Slugger Award, with Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun winning his second and Chicago Cubs standout righty Carlos Zambrano his third.
With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to Spring Training in three months, the Brewers will look to improve their starting rotation via free agency this offseason, while the Cubs intend to explore the possibility of trading for six-time All-Star right-hander Roy Halladay and the Cardinals hoping to re-sign Matt Holliday.
As expected, the Astros, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates won't be major players in the free-agent market.
Astros owner Drayton McLane, Jr., reportedly wants to trim his $107 million payroll in 2009 by approximately $15 million, and Cincinnati hopes to shop pricey veterans Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang to any interested suitors.
Comments
Pujols is the best player, by far, in Major League Baseball. He was a low draft pick who became a star. We're lucky to be able to witness his production in this day and age. If I'm correct, didn't he play with an elbow injury this year? Even more impressive that he won the MVP. Pujols is a real champion!
I agree. No offense to ARod, but I'd take Pujols anyday. Pujols is only 29 years old; ARod is 34. Just hope Albert stays healthy over the long haul, and hopefully in a Cardinals uniform he entire career.
Pujols is a class act. I like in the article how you wrote how Pujols, Bonds, Cepeda, Schmidt, Bagwell and Caminiti are the only unanimous winners of the NL MVP. Lets break that done; Bonds (steroids), Cepeda (drug possession arrests, trouble maker), Schmidt (amphetamines), Bagwell (????) and Caminiti (admitted steriod user, said he took during MVP season, and later died because of drug addicition). Like I said, Pujols is the real class act and a real Hall of Famer.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!