[scottyy11]

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Albert Pujols thinks he was snubbed.

The St. Louis Cardinals' slugger is upset he lost out to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard for the National League MVP award, saying Wednesday the honor should go to someone on a playoff team.



"I see it this way: Someone who doesn't take his team to the playoffs doesn't deserve to win the MVP," Pujols said in Spanish at a news conference organized by the Dominican Republic's sports ministry.

Pujols led the Cardinals to the NL Central title this year and their first World Series championship since 1982. Howard and the Phillies missed the playoffs -- though they won two more regular-season games than St. Louis did.

The Dominican-born Pujols batted .331 with 49 home runs and 137 RBIs, while Howard hit .313 with 58 homers and 149 RBIs.

Howard got 20 first-place votes for MVP and 388 points in balloting by a panel of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Pujols received 12 first-place votes and 347 points. Voting is conducted before the postseason.

Pujols, the 2005 NL MVP, said he has bigger dreams -- a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. The BBWAA also votes for the Hall of Fame.

"It is still early but it is a dream I have," Pujols said. "My hope is that in good time I will have sufficient numbers to get to Cooperstown."

Pujols praised several moves the Cardinals have made this offseason, including signing second baseman Adam Kennedy and pitcher Kip Wells. The slugger noted that his club had been hoping to land fellow Dominican star Alfonso Soriano, who instead agreed to a $136 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

"I thought we were going to sign Soriano, but it wasn't possible. We also intended to trade for him during the season, but the Nationals wanted too much for him," Pujols said.

[Razz]

And he is correct.

[scottyy11]

Based on the fact that the phillies won more regular season games I don't have a problem with Howard winning

[tacomax]

I see his point, but not making the play-offs should not make a person ineligible for the MVP. It's all about Most Valuable Player - if you're playing for the Royals then you might be the best player in the world having the best season of your life but you're never going to make the play-offs - you shouldn't limit the award from the total number of teams in the specific AL/NL leagues to the smaller number of teams whoever made the play-offs

Having said that, Poo-holes should have got the MVP. But he's using the wrong argument.

[JT16]

Pujols is a fool and proves it by these comments.

Baseball is a team sport. Can Ryan Howard pitch? Can he bat behind himself? Since MVP is an individual award and not a team award it should go to the best player.

So his is saying that only players that are from 8 teams in MLB are allow to receive the award. How stupid does that sound? Think about it? Those who agree with him are also clueless.

A player can hit 79 homers and knock in 200 rbis and not be MVP of the league? HA.

[DrSlamm]

Did Poo-Holes forget that the Phillies won more games than they did????

It must be the roids talkin

[onlooker]

Howard still deserving of the award. Playoffs shouldnt be a deciding factor in the MVP voting.

[Razz]

As long as the award stands for Most VALUABLE Player, I think voting for a player whose team failed to make the playoffs is a mistake. There is no value in having your team almost making the playoffs. None.
They should change the award's title to Most Outstanding Player so there is no debate.

[DrSlamm]

there is no value in anything but winning the world series with your argument

[bigboydan]

Howard still deserving of the award. Playoffs shouldnt be a deciding factor in the MVP voting.

I agree 100%.

Maybe if Albert wasn't on the DL for that month he might have won it, but who knows.

[scottyy11]

still think he would of been better to just keep quiet does not come over as being very classy. You won the World Series let it go even if you think you were wronged.

I like Albert though think he is awesome probably win it next yr

[bigboydan]

Scotty, I think Albert is still mad about Bonds beating him out all those years, and not Howard got'um this year.

[denn333]

He should win it every year, he is awesome , just ask him.

[jjgold]

It could of gone either way but Pujos is a much better player

[JoshW]

Pujols usually keeps a low profile. After winning the WS would figure he would be pretty happy just to enjoy.

[BuddyBear]

I am surprised by the tone of those comments....personally i disagree with his assessment of who should win the MVP.