MVP Breeding Ground

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Three of the most prominent candidates in this year’s MVP race belong to NL Central teams. Two of the most outstanding players play a similar game. Now the question is, who deserves it more? BY: Andrew Muckell

The 2011 National League Most Valuable Player contest sports some of the biggest names in the NL Central.1B Albert Pujols, a three-time MVP and four time runner-up, made a remarkable mid-season adjustment to his swing and powered the St. Louis Cardinals to an unforeseen World Series win. He hit three home runs in a World Series game, tying a record held by Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth. Despite his great comeback late in the season, his lack of consistency in April and May hurts his chances for winning the prestigious award.

This season, the Milwaukee Brewers looked like an MVP breeding ground. LF Ryan Braun and 1B Prince Fielder powered the team to the playoffs and boasted some of the league’s most impressive offensive numbers. These players are ranked in the top six in on-base plus slugging, total bases, RBIs, and home runs in the league and in the top ten in many others.

The similarity between these players does not end here. Both of these players are also 27 years old, revealing that neither of them has truly grown into his prime yet. Both players have been ranked third in MVP voting within their first three years in the majors, and they are both All-Stars.

The similarities end there, however. Fielder has largely been a power hitter in his short career and has only begun raising his batting average this past year. Braun has a career .312 batting average, and he is far more likely to steal a base than Fielder. Their roles in the lineup also vary: Braun’s main job is to get on base, and Fielder’s is to scare the opposing team and force the pitcher to deliver better pitches to Braun.

In my opinion, Braun is the hands-down MVP of the league. His .332 average, 33 home runs, 111 RBIs and late-season heroics are too difficult to overlook. Although he is often considered the Robin to “Batman” Fielder, the league needs to see that Robin is a superhero too, and I think it is about time he takes the Batmobile out for a joy ride.