Albert Pujols, whining whiner

One of the few good things to come out of the National League Championship Series this year, as well as the World (less than) Serious, was the unmasking of Albert Pujols as Barry Bonds-lite. Perhaps the best hitter in the NL, and he just can't help but feel sorry for himself.

The beat goes on.

St. Louis Cardinals firstbaseman Albert Pujols, runner-up to Ryan Howard in the NL MVP vote, says only players whose teams make the playoffs should be MVP candidates.

While Pujols voices a voting practice to which some members of the Baseball Writers Association of America subscribe, he does overlook this iddy, biddy fact:

Ryan Howard's Philadelphia Phillies won more games than Pujols' Cardinals.

Let the fans argue over MVP votes. The only classy reponse by a player to not being voted MVP is the Jeterian one.

"While I know that voting for these awards is primarily based on differing opinions and statistical debates, it's also part of what makes baseball such a great sport," Jeter said in a statement released by the Yankees.

"Having said that, I'm flattered and honored to have been considered for the American League Most Valuable Player Award. I want to congratulate Justin Morneau on this well-deserved honor. He is a special player, and I suspect this won't be the last time you will hear his name mentioned when awards are being passed out.

"You've heard me say it a thousand times, but winning the World Series for the New York Yankees continues to be my main focus. There is no individual award that can compare with a championship trophy, and I look forward to working towards that challenge again in 2007."