MVP DEBATE - A QUANTUM OF NONSENSE

Albert Pujols has won the National League MVP award for 2008. Ryan Howard has not. Let the debate begin. The arbitrariness of the MVP award has been commented on here previously. The only real reason to even have an MVP award, as opposed to simply a Best Player award, is that it generates endless discussion in the Hot Stove League. So depending on your criteria, you can make a reasonable case for Pujols or Howard.

But now a new dimension has been added to the mix. At least one observer (sportswriter Phil Sheridan) argues that the baseball writers who vote on the MVP have not just made the wrong choice, they have sandbagged Ryan Howard's contract negotiations. Poor Ryan's agent may have to go into an arbitration hearing with the albatross of Howard being merely the runner-up to Pujols. This is real "give me liberty or give me death" material. Ryan Howard made $10 million last season and will be in line for a fat increase with or without arbitration. The possibility of his losing a couple million is truly horrifying. But perhaps there is a way to avert this impending catastrophe. In addition to his athletic prowess, Albert Pujols is admired for his community service - he won the Roberto Clemente Award this year for his charitable endeavors. When he learns of Howard's plight, Albert would surely abdicate his MVP throne in favor of Ryan. Pujols' contract is up in a couple of years and perhaps Howard can return the favor.