Phillies Howard Wins National League MVP

Sunday was Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard's birthday, the slugger turned 27. On Monday Howard received a present from Major League Baseball, the National League Most Valuable Player Award.

Howard was in a battle for the award with last years winner Albert Pujols but the young star had a tremendous second half and almost carried the Phillies into the playoffs after Bobby Abreu was traded and that was enough for voters. Pujols finished second with twelve first place votes, and 19 seconds to Howards 20 first place and 12 second place votes.

Howard had 58 homers this season the most in the major leagues since Barry Bonds hit 73 in 2001. He also drove in 149 runs while posting a .313 average.

Houston's Lance Berkman finished third in the voting with 230 points. Carlos Beltran of the Mets was fourth with 211, Miguel Cabrera had 170 in fourth, and Alfonso Soriano was fifth with 106.

Soriano, after finishing 5th in the voting, also changed employers on Sunday, signing a an eight year contract with the Chicago Cubs for about $136 million.

Pujols received a $100,000 bonus for finishing second, Beltran $200,000 for finishing fourth, and Berkman $250,000 for finishing third.

November 20, 2006
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
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