Give me da gold

There's some funny but thought-provoking stuff over at Fire Joe Morgan regarding why Albert Pujols deserves to be named MVP over Ryan Howard. My favorite part:

But Howard was in another reality in September, when impact players make their mark.

But "Hole in the Wall" and one very funny moment where a guy couldn't fit through the hole in the wall, and that is the kind of impact that impact TV shows make when it counts.

You probably need some context on that one, so go read it for your own enjoyment.

When evaluating Albert Pujols' season, it's amazing to see that he's still getting better. He posted the highest walk rate of his career (16.6%), highest OBP (.462), highest OPS (1.114), second-highest RC/27 (11.84), and highest BB/K ratio (1.93). Albert is simply phenomenal, in any way you crunch the numbers, and it's incredible that a guy like Ryan Howard even stands a chance against him in the MVP race. In reality, Ryan Ludwick should have just as much of a chance of winning the MVP as Howard, but that's not going to happen either.

My predictions for the rest of the Cardinals that might get snubbed by the end of year awards:

Gold Gloves for Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus, and Yadier Molina.

If you look at the numbers, Albert Pujols had nearly identical stats in 2008 as he did in 2006, when he won his first and only Gold Glove Award. The only reason he might not win it this year is the same reason he won't win the MVP - the bullpen was terrible. If we have a competent closer for the whole season, we're in the post-season and Albert's being showered with gifts and awards like he just won Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.

Troy Glaus made seven errors this season. David Wright made 16. The difference in range between the two is not so significant that you can discard the discrepancy between Glaus' error count and David's. The fact of the matter is Troy Glaus had the highest fielding percentage in the NL (.982), the highest range factor (2.74), and the fourth-highest zone rating - simple stats that any knowledgeable person can compare and contrast. The only other legitimate argument is for Pedro Feliz of the Phillies, but even he plays second-fiddle to Glaus when you look at the numbers. If Troy doesn't bring home the gold in 2008, it's highway robbery.

This is probably Yadier Molina's weakest year in terms of qualifications for the Gold Glove Award, an award he has never received, but he still has a fighting chance to win it. The fact of the matter is Yadi has been playing the best defensive baseball at the catcher position over the past five years, and he deserves to finally be acknowledged for that sometime. This may not be the year, but eventually it needs to happen.