Hank Aaron Award proves fans can't be trusted with the vote

Congratulations to Chicago Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez for winning the National League Hank Aaron Award. Congratulations to all the avid baseball fans who helped vote him the winner of the award. Congratulations to the Cubs who will have the award as a consolation prize to yet another year without a World Series victory. More importantly, congrats to all the real baseball fans who have figured out that you cannot put any stock into an award determined by the fans.

The Hank Aaron Award recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each league, as seen fit by fans. Approximately 230,000 votes were cast at MLB.com, the official site of Major League Baseball. Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis took home the honors for the American League.

Ramirez winning the award is as big of a joke as Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome’s 2008 All-Star selection. Is Ramirez a great hitter? Absolutely — but not the top, or near it.

Especially when compared to St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols.

In one less game, Pujols hit for a .068 higher batting average than Ramirez, as well as 10 more home runs, five more RBI's, 30 more walks, a higher OBP of .082 and a higher slugging average of .135 — all while striking out 40 fewer times.

In the National League, Ramirez was ranked offensively:
• Batting Average – 25th
• On Base Percentage – 12th
• Home Runs – 20th
• Runs Batted In – 8th
• Slugging – 14th
• OPS – 10th

On the other hands, Albert Pujols was ranked offensively:
• Batting Average – 2nd
• On Base Percentage – 2nd
• Home Runs – 4th
• Runs Batted In – 4th
• Slugging – 1st
• OPS – 1st

While Atlanta Braves all-star Chipper Jones was ranked higher than Pujols in a few categories, he also had near 100 less at-bats than Pujols.

How is it that a player not ranked higher than Pujols in one major hitting category wins the offensive player award? Start giving credit where credit is due. This is the same bias and poor selections which continually plague awards and honors decided upon by the fans — giving them no merit or sense of importance.