Statistically the answer is a no-brainer. St. Louis' Pujols hit .357 this season, 106 points higher than Howard. He struck out 145 less times, too. There are at least a half-dozen other seam-head-initiated categories that Pujols bettered Howard in, most notably runners in scoring position and late-and-close situations. While both men excelled in the former, Howard's continued struggles against lefthanders are most evident in the latter - a .158 average.
Statistically, the idea that Howard could come within 61 points of Pujols in the voting (369-308), could be maybe a Manny Ramirez trade away from even winning his second MVP in 3 years, seems absurd.
So why did he? Why did he come so close? Yes, Howard hit 11 more home runs, had that ridiculous RBI total of 146, but look who was hitting around him, right? Pujols had more walks, 18 more doubles and let's not even compare their gloves. It is also significant to note that Pujols maintained consistent excellence all season despite a bum elbow, a stark contrast to Howard's trend of stunning slugging streaks and baffling slumps.
Everything you read by those who study this game like scientists suggested that Pujols would win this award rather easily. Every statistical breakdown only added to our appreciation of Pujols as a player, and underlined the sometimes glaring deficiencies to Howard's game. So why did so many voters discount the overall superiority of Pujols' numbers, discount the gorge between their defensive abilities?
You know one answer because you've said it, over and over again. Howard's team won its division. Pujols' team, while in the hunt through mid-September, finished fourth in the budget-conscious NL Central. Most Valuable Player, goes the argument, should go to a player who helps his team into the postseason. Certainly, that is why yesterday's vote was so close.
