Ryan Howard for MVP

I can't believe that some people are dismissing Ryan Howard for the 2008 Most Valuable Player Award. I can't think of anyone more deserving. Albert Pujols is an incredible hitter, no doubt about it. But the Cardinals are a .500 team and will not make the playoffs. Manny Ramirez and CC Sabathia have had very productive half-seasons with the Dodgers and Brewers, respectively, but have only been valuable to their club for half the year. The Cubs - my Chicago Cubs - have seen contributions made by a handful of players without one particular player "carrying" the club for a stretch. I've heard people say that Ryan's batting average may hurt him and that he strikes out too much. What? His job is to drive in runs and he has done a better job at that than anyone in baseball. He has 10 more home runs and 20 more RBIs than anyone in baseball. He gets hits when it matters most. The Phillies - who are in first place - are there because Ryan has put this team on his back and carried them through September. Isn't that the definition of valuable?

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Comments (45)

Eagle_Fanatic said September 23, 2008

True true McNabb! Ryan is a heck of a player! CONGRATS FOR SUNDAY AND KEEP PLAYING GREAT SO YOU CAN BE MVP IN 08! Go Eagles! Beat the Bears
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peagle05 said September 23, 2008

As long as my brewers make the playoffs, i'll be good with that. but Ryan Howard deserves MVP, the last few weeks have been ridiculous for him. GO EAGLES!!!
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TruePhillyPhan said September 23, 2008

Exactly. I keep telling people exactly what you said. No one in baseball does what he is supposed to do better than he does. Period.
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- lewii5 replied September 24, 2008
  
  No one in baseball does what he is supposed to do better than he does... makes minimal sense. He has so many rbis because the batters before him are actually capable in getting on base. I love RH but he's just not consistent enough to win mvp. The numbers are there, but the consistency hasn't. He's been in some serious slumps (like about every hitter) but I look for someone who performs day in and day out as an mvp candidate. A great season though.
FatManIsrael said September 23, 2008

Howard is the man, big, gets the job done and can hit. Well said.
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rjajr99 said September 23, 2008

The numbers are there, but I just don't see the baseball writers voting for him based on the batting average. I'd love to see it, though! A three-peat of MVPs for the Phillies! Maybe we'll get all the Philly teams into the playoffs this year! And on top of that, our teams have McNabb, Howard, Richards, and Brand... sounds like four MVPs in the waiting for Philly! Add to that a potential duo of rookies of the year in DeSean Jackson and Claude Giroux... hey, I can dream, right?

Keep up the good work, Donovan! You guys are doing great!
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phightins26 said September 23, 2008

way to go repping philly, donovan.

i put on for my city....
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Bornbirdsfan said September 23, 2008

Whew....this is tough.

Pujols, when compared to other HR and RBI leaders beats them all when hitting for average. His on-base and slugging pct are sick this year.

When you consider the Phiilies' success, combined with a struggling Chase, on and off Burrell, bullpen woes, etc., it wouldn't be wrong to go with Howard.

Tough call either way. And either way you can't be wrong.

But enough of that - let's handle the Bears! B-West or no B-West, all they're going to do is load up the front line and dare us to pass. If Griese threw for over 400 yards, and our coach likes to pass then.....

I'm just saying!
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BookerT said September 23, 2008

come on the MVP is my fav baseball player, Andruw Jones.

Jones hit .158 with three home runs and 14 runs batted in in 75 games.

He made 18 million this year.....

anyone who gets 18 million on that type of performance is a MVP in my book.....

Howard because Pujols stole Andruw Jones MVP in 05.

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- squish059 replied September 23, 2008
  
  ouch... had Andruw really fallen that hard.... damn he was solid before
  - HayatoKanzaki1 replied September 24, 2008
    
    He's injured that why...
    - HayatoKanzaki1 replied September 24, 2008
      
      He's my favorite player too and it sucks that he got injured and played poorly
squish059 said September 23, 2008

i agree. Pujols is a great player but on a mediocre team.... Howard is a great player on a very good team. I wouldnt argue against Pujols much except to say his hits are for nothing and Howard's hits are for the playoffs... they mean a lot more... therefore there is more pressure on him and he is getting it done.
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eagleheaven said September 24, 2008

WHATS UP DMAC
CONGRATS ON THE ALLTIME TDS FOR THE EAGLES!!!!
RYAN HOWARD MVP
MAYBE THE PHILS AND CUBS MEET UP THIS YEAR
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TommyTheCat said September 24, 2008

DMAC FOR MVP!
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Justwannawinna said September 24, 2008

THATS WHAT I LOVE TO HEAR!!!! A PHILLY GUY ROOTIN FOR ANOTHER TO WIN AN AWARD THANKS FOR BEING A CLASSY GUY PAL
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eglgrl said September 24, 2008

i second the congrats on the record donovan. GREAT GAME!!

not a baseball chick - ill stay out of this debate
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5snumber1fan said September 24, 2008

way to go, 5. this is Philly's year and it started with the SOUL. the Phillies are next and then the EAGLES, Sixers and Flyers.
Lots of parades this year!!!!
DMAC FOR MVP
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ivylily said September 24, 2008

If Alexis needs a babysitter, we're only a block away on Cove Road! My 21 year daughter would love to help your wife out during this really busy season! Stay frosty, Donovan, you had an awesome game against the Steelers last weekend. My daughter and her boyfriend were at the Eagles' Carnival but weren't able to get anywhere near where you were (not much of a line for ol' Kevin, and the kids said he's very nice). Got their picture taken with Brian Dawkins, which was the highlight of their day, if not the month! They LOVED Jon Dorenbos' magic show! Please tell your wife to keep that as part of the carnival. It's a wonderful opportunity for your fans - and there are legions of us out here - to actually see and meet our beloved Eagles. Best wishes to Mama McNabb as well; we miss her out here!
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Rainman said September 24, 2008

I agree that Ryan Howard should be MVP. Btw Donovan, it was really nice to have Philly finally show you love and respect when you came back onto the feild sunday afternoon vs pittsburg. Keep up the great work!
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WARMINSTER said September 24, 2008

Who cares how you make an out....strikeout, fly out, etc. MVP's step up when the pressure is on...not in the June swoon when Division Titles are not on the line...I agree, Ryan should be MVP...side note, is DeSean shocking everyone or what...he has HEART, which is more than can be said about LJ or Reggie...DMAC, enjoy this year man...you guys have a decent schedule the rest of the way, getting in the playoffs should be easier this year than most....just have fun this year man...no more drama, no more stress...
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NFLInsider said September 24, 2008

Update to the NFL Community (May 2008): Chris Ray Hetherington, a washed out retired NFL veteran, has ruthlessly corrupted police connections through his ego-maniac extended family in CT, and is shadily protected in his wrongdoings by the control freak Carolina Panthers NFL club owner, basically for trying to conveniently in-law himself with a relative of Jerry Richardson, under Chris Hetherington mother's orders. So four months ago, Chris Ray Hetherington has been illicitly using his underhanded NFL related corruption to falsely arrest his ex, a decent woman, whom he's been abusing for years, who's on line aka was Alexa Hetherington. Therefore in January 2008, Chris Ray Hetherington preposterously calculated so, through the dishonest aid of the horribly corrupted NB PD so-called detective Don Prouty. Plus Chris Hetherington did so through the NFL related corruption and backstabbing, coming from some of the shamelessly ingratiating Santa Clara CA Police, who've actually never seen her doing anything wrong; but who have falsely and maliciously insinuated she was supposedly a stalker, actually without any tangible proof whatsoever. Such backstabbing occurred back then when she was insincerely invited to San Francisco CA as a wicked set up, in fall of 2007, by the shifty Lal Heneghan, the double dealing San Francisco 49ers NFL club former GM. At that time of her unlawful set up type of arrest, in January 2008, she was claiming to be this NFL player's battered common law wife, while she was entirely unaware, as a foreigner from Romania , about the American laws regarding common laws marriage. Back then, in January 2008, she did not know just how corrupted such hypocritically xenophobic individuals of the American legal system were, when it comes to ingratiating to such hateful NFL's inner clans of two-faced NFL Black-Widow gold-diggers.. Furthermore in January 2008 she wanted to file a Marvin lawsuit, besides her existing initial Restraining Order she first got in January 2008 against the abusive Chris Ray Hetherington. So in January 2008 she felt justified she might have a legal claim, as a victim of domestic violence, since she found herself shockingly trashed by her cold hearted narcissistic ex spouse. Please note that she is a wholesome political celebrity descendant from Romania and a software engineer brainiac from Bucharest Polytechnic Institute, with impeccable morals, as her family as well. In May 2008, while in the corrupted and unprofessional Orange County Women's Jail she was unlawfully threatened by the blatantly hateful and corrupted by NFL Public Defender, the so-called Orange County Public Defender, named Richard Carmona, who threatened her in various ways, under the hidden orders of her pointed out shady NFL enemies, to force her to falsely plead guilty to perjury; although as a foreigner she was not sure what to begin with, the term meant. Please be aware that she did not lie about the mentioned NFL player abusing her, as she was forced to sign off in jail by several illicit morbid type of threats, since in fact she stated Chris Ray Hetherington has been sending his thug friends to assault her numerous times. However she was blackmailed with illicit threats that she would be supposedly unlawfully thrown in the jail or in the state mental hospital, as an entirely innocent healthy person, supposedly for a long time, through such described NFL related corruption, if she were to refuse to give in to their awful illicit threats.. For the record, once and for all, she is definitely not a stalker, just because her mud slinging NFL enemies say so! It is the other way around! For the record, there is no credible proof of her having done anything wrong, other than malicious lies coming from her diabolical NFL enemies ganging up on her, as part of their hateful vendetta against her, for exposing their felonious NFL clan to the often biased American legal system! Please note that she is wickedly and mercilessly blackballed for years, as an avid activist against NFL corruption. As her loved ones, we are asking for the NFL community's support. as well as for the Court of Public Opinion to help her to immediately get out in one piece out of the cruel claws of such despicable NFL related corruption. Posted by: Alexa Hetherington's (as on line aka) extended family in Newport Beach , California , USA

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huSTLer said September 24, 2008

Aaah, McNabb speaks truth. The force is strong in this one.
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Dewey said September 23, 2008

I don't know, D-Mac... I think it's Pujols all the way. His numbers are way too strong. It's not his fault his team is average. His teammates aren't that great. He needs some other playmakers on his roster.
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bdnookie said September 23, 2008

Donny Mac, you are the man. I bow down. ryno may certainly win the MVP but Alberto deserves it. More consistent
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Martinz said September 24, 2008

Ryan took a funny bounced liner in the chest last night, I hope he is OK. But the numbers tell the story. He is doing what he is paid to do. If you look at statistics beside batting average, he is at the top of his game.
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sblea58 said September 24, 2008

It's a sad day in Rockies land, when I have to agree on Ryan Howard for MVP!
But, I still got to give my man Matt Holiday Props he did have another Outstanding year even though the Rockies as a team did't do well!
You Go Ryan Best Wishes to you and the Phillies!

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misserlis said September 24, 2008

hey donovan, as a syracuse university alumni and someone who grew up watching you play at the carrier dome, can you offer some insight as to what you might be doing to rectify the current su football team?
it comes as no surprise that greg robinson has to go. even greg must know this. what is a little harder for some fans to admit but true cuse fans should know is that DARYL GROSS needs to be fired as well. we all loved paul pasquiloni and saw him get fired after a 6-5 season and a bowl game appearance.
greg robinson has gone 1-10, 4-8, 2-10 and still alllowed to come back and coach a fourth season!! the fact that daryl gross and the university allowed grob to continue coaching with some of the worst results in the history of the university shows a true lack of concern and interest in the football program.
something needs to be done and we need alumni such as yourself and dwight freeney and all other football vets to SPEAK UP and voice some displeasure on NANCY CANTOR and DARYL GROSS..
if i hear about these "olympic sports" one more time i'm gonna scream!
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PhiPhan5648 said September 24, 2008

Ryan Howard may strike out alot... and he does, but he also produces like no one else in Baseball. He's really shown up in recent weeks, and he's carried this team from 5 games back on the Mets, to 2.5 games ahead. I say throw him another MVP... What I'd like to see however, is Ryan Howard playing well all season long... if he could do that, then he'd break records. Ryan isn't as good as he can be, but he's getting there. ~PhiPhan5648
P.S. You rock D-Nabb, you've been my favorite Eagle since we drafted you, and you're by far the best QB in the NFC East, and possible the NFL. GO EAGLES!
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IVSPORT said September 24, 2008

I couldn't agree more. Plenty of players have won MVPs before with amazing stats in a few categories but under average stats in others. But you're right that his HR and RBI totals more than makeup for his AVG, which has actually gone up a ton since he's hitting something like .350 in September. Also, strikeouts should not be a big deal because depending on the situation, a strikeout is usually the same as a groundout or a flyout. What matters is what he does in clutch situations with runners on base and in those situations, Howard dominates and that's why his team is about to go to the playoffs for the second year in a row.
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gstate5 said September 24, 2008

You are right on with Ryan Howard.
Hey D-Nabb I live in Naperville I used to go watch you hoop at Mt Carmel. Your coming home this weekend, please take it easy on us. Desean Jackson brings some big time excitement to that offense.
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gpandher1 said September 24, 2008

i agree. HE has 47 homeruns and 142 rbi. That is crazy. Who cares if he strikes. There is no one near him in the stats of hr and rbi. In september he batting over .300. He's there when the team needs. The phillies are in first place because of him.
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WARMINSTER said September 25, 2008

Geez....enuff with the arse kissing of DMac here...guys, he goes to Disneyland out here just like the rest of us...of course 99.9% of us dont have 300lb animals chasing us down...The next 3 games will determine the MVP I think...if Ryan puts the team on his shoulders this series, he will get it. As far as no one else on the Cards that is any good? Glaus, Ankiel, Langerweiner....that is a lame argument.
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danacopley said September 25, 2008

Ok...A Yankee girl...But i def love baseball...so I have fav players. Rya Howard is def one of them. I agree that he has carried the club on his shoulders. My vote is for Howard...Good call!
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WARMINSTER said September 26, 2008

Well, no help from the Cubs....Ryan, you want the MVP, now is the time...It is down to 3 games...kick some arse man....
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EAGLESxFAN1933 said September 26, 2008

i agree 100% w/ 5ive. so what if he strikes out. it is excpected from power hitters.
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Jtoddy25 said September 27, 2008

Amen - He has been awesome in September! His K count has been nuts though ;)!
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bobber said September 27, 2008

Donovan is right! Last night just proves how valuable Ryan is. With Joe Blanton on the mound it was important to get out to an early lead. Ryan did just that with a 3-run homer. It relaxed everyone and allowed the Phillies to go to an early big lead. He is making everyone play better and his team is following his lead. Isn't that the definition of MVP?
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PinCaseX said September 29, 2008

Ryan Howard has a lower VORP than Derek Jeter.
Moving on, please.
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PinCaseX said September 29, 2008

Ryan Howard has a lower VORP than Derek Jeter.

Moving on, please.
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WeemanX777 said October 07, 2008

good call #5. and although he may have an avg. a little bit over .250 he carried the team on his shoulders in sept. and october being his best months. the most important month of bball is sept. and he came through down the stretch. either howard or sabathia for MVP...
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WeemanX777 said October 07, 2008

work on staying healthy dmac!!!! lol:) oh and although westbrook is very valuable ut dont wory desean will help and demps gotta step up in spec. teams
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Flyerfan1959 said October 08, 2008

not only ryan has MVP but don't forget lidge for C Y. A save everytime he came in. Unbelieveable.!!!
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Ryan Howard for MVP

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