SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Albert Pujols thinks he was snubbed.

The St. Louis Cardinals' slugger is upset he lost out to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard for the National League MVP award, saying Wednesday the honor should go to someone on a playoff team.


"I see it this way: Someone who doesn't take his team to the playoffs doesn't deserve to win the MVP," Pujols said in Spanish at a news conference organized by the Dominican Republic's sports ministry.

Pujols led the Cardinals to the NL Central title this year and their first World Series championship since 1982. Howard and the Phillies missed the playoffs -- though they won two more regular-season games than St. Louis.

The Dominican-born Pujols batted .331 with 49 home runs and 137 RBI, while Howard hit .313 with 58 homers and 149 RBI.

Howard got 20 first-place votes for MVP and 388 points in balloting by a panel of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Pujols received 12 first-place votes and 347 points. Voting is conducted before the postseason.

Pujols, the 2005 NL MVP, said he has bigger dreams -- a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. The BBWAA also votes for the Hall of Fame.

"It is still early, but it is a dream I have," Pujols said. "My hope is that in good time I will have sufficient numbers to get to Cooperstown."

Pujols praised several moves the Cardinals have made this offseason, including signing second baseman Adam Kennedy and pitcher Kip Wells. The slugger noted that his club had been hoping to land fellow Dominican star Alfonso Soriano, who instead agreed to a $136 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

"I thought we were going to sign Soriano, but it wasn't possible. We also intended to trade for him during the season, but the Nationals wanted too much for him," Pujols said.

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Now, of course I take offense to this even more because he's disrespecting Ryan Howard.

But seriously, if you want to have a vote, stop playing baseball and fucking write for it, dumbass.

This is totally immature and is what I would expect from a rookie.

I had no problem with Pujols until now, but this is just so annoying. Don't whine about it, do somethign about it (next year).

Idiot probably thought that saying it in his home country, it wouldn't get over here.

a player shouldnt be snubbed for being a good division either. shut the fuck up albert

I guess winning the freaking World Series wasn't enough for him.

good one

I wonder how much money he lost by losing the MVP award. I'm sure there is an incentive in his contract that pays him X amount for winning (as if he needs more money).

This guy is really turning into a jerk in my eyes.

The thing that drives me nuts about Pujols is the whole "LOOK WHAT HE'S DOING AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE"

Bullshit. That guy's like 35, I don't give a fuck what his bith cert says. I don't give a fuck. There is NO WAY that dude was born in the 80s.

wow, that's a real douchey thing to say, not to mention the mvp votes are in prior to the playoffs anyway

The funny thing is...the Phillies won more regular season games than the Cardinals. I could see more of a debate if the MVP was picked from...like....the Pirates or something. But come on. The MVP was of a guy who's team did BETTER than Alberts during the regular season. Anyway, the MVP is for regular season teams. They have playoff MVP awards. Pujols is acting like a spoiled moron. I used to have a lot of respect for this guy, but over the last couple years he's said and done some things that just dont jive with me.

fucking Poo-hole

How in the fuck could anyone who just won a World Championship care about this?

Pujols should pipe down. Maybe he deserved the award, but nobody cares about these things 2 days after they're announced.

Contrast his reaction to Jeter - who took time out from banging Jessica Biel to issue a statement congratulating Morneau.

pujols can fuck himself

for those interested, they're about to banter about him on Around the Horn in like 3 minutes...round 2.

Pujols is starting to get a litte lippy. Didn't he have some other BS comments earlier in the season?

Yeah, about Tom Glavine in Game 1 of the NLCS . . .

Losing alot of respect for him very quickly

Let's see. All the non-Cardinal fans think Pujols should shut up.

SHOCKER!

at least we know he'll turn into one of those guys who starts caring about his stats more than wins and hangs around too long after his skills have diminished. look forward to it, friends.