11/04/24
November 22, 2011
Ryan Braun wins NL MVP award: For just the fourth time ever and the first time in 22 years, the Milwaukee Brewers can claim the league's most valuable player. Leftfielder Ryan Braun was named the top player in the National League by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, beating out Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Matt Kemp, who finished second. Braun earned 20 of 32 first-place votes and finished second on the other 12 ballots en route to a total of 388 points. Kemp, who made a run at the triple crown for a Dodgers team that finished third in the NL West, received 10 first-place votes and 332 points in all.
posted by tommytrump to baseball at 03:53 PM - 6 comments
I don't have a huge issue with it - Braun was great, Kemp was better, but it isn't a wide gap.
Funny how Kershaw won the "triple crown" in the NL but nary a peep about his MVP chances (unlike Verlander).
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:39 PM on November 22, 2011
Even better, Halladay finished ahead of Kershaw in the MVP vote, but behind him in the Cy Young vote.
(obviously, different voters for each award, but still...)
posted by grum@work at 07:35 PM on November 22, 2011
Yeah, I can get behind Braun as MVP. I also agree that Kemp had a better season and this gives me the sneaking suspicion that I'm not a REAL baseball fan. :/
posted by Joey Michaels at 08:31 PM on November 22, 2011
Obviously I'm thrilled that Braun won, but I really did think Kemp would get it.
posted by rocketman at 09:56 AM on November 23, 2011
Huzzah for Braun on this one -- kid worked hard and played well all season. Very richly deserved.
posted by evixir at 10:02 AM on November 24, 2011
I have no problem with this choice, and I would have had no problem with Kemp winning, either.
Worst possible ballot submitted (based on the voting totals):
1. Upton
2. Braun
3. Kemp
4. Howard
5. Kershaw
6. Pence
7. Morse
8. Beltran
9. Montero
10. Fielder
(Braun could not be lower than 2nd, Kemp no lower than 3rd, and Fielder had to appear on the ballot.)