Today's A Good Day: MVP Edition

Yesterday the AL MVP was announced as Justin Verlander, without surprise. The Cy Young's were known before their revelation as well. The NL MVP, however, came down to the wire and anything before today was speculation between Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp (both more than deserving). Some people went out on a limb for Pujols, Fielder, Reyes, Kershaw, Votto, etc. But everyone knew the real race was between Kemp - the numbers guy and Braun - the team leader of a great team, a debate that has surrounded the MVP award for years. Well this year's winner is:


RYAN BRAUN!!!! Obviously that means that I am ecstatic. The voting was uber-close as Braun had 20 first place votes and 12 second place votes (388 points). Kemp had 10 first place, 16 second place and 6 third place votes (332 points). I don't know who put Kemp in third place! Anyway, both candidates had spectacular seasons and I'm not oblivious to the fact that Braun only won because the Dodgers weren't a playoff team.

If any thing did it I think it was Braun's three run-bomb that clinched the division for the Brewers. That was his MVP moment. I look forward to many battles between Braun and Kemp for future MVP titles and it's likely that they will both have to lead there teams for years to come as it looks like Prince Fielder (Third Place by the way) is leaving the Brew Crew this offseason. Anyway here are just a few reasons Braun was named the MVP this season: