Philadelphia wins something! Congrats, Ryan! 
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, who got his major-league career off to a strong start by winning the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award in 2005, was honored in 2006 by being elected the National League Most Valuable Player in balloting by the BBWAA.
Of the 32 ballots submitted by two writers in each league city, Howard, who turned 27 Sunday, was listed first on 20 and second on the other 12 for a total of 388 points, based on the tabulation system that rewards 14 points for first place, nine for second, eight for third and on down to one for 10th.
Howard led the majors in home runs (58), runs batted in (149) and total bases (393) while hitting .313 for the Phillies, who ran a distant second to the New York Mets in the NL East but remained in the wild-card hunt until the next to the last day of the season. Howard set a franchise record for home runs, topping Mike Schmidt's previous mark by 10, and matched Jimmie Foxx's total with the Athletics in 1932 for the most in one season by a Philadelphia player.
For the third time in the past five years, the runner-up was St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, who received the other 12 first-place votes, plus 19 for second and one for third to total 347 points. Pujols, who won the award last year, was a major candidate again this season having led the NL in batting with runners in scoring percentage (.397) and slugging (.671), finished second in home runs (49) and RBI (137) and third in batting (.331).
Of the 32 ballots submitted by two writers in each league city, Howard, who turned 27 Sunday, was listed first on 20 and second on the other 12 for a total of 388 points, based on the tabulation system that rewards 14 points for first place, nine for second, eight for third and on down to one for 10th.
Howard led the majors in home runs (58), runs batted in (149) and total bases (393) while hitting .313 for the Phillies, who ran a distant second to the New York Mets in the NL East but remained in the wild-card hunt until the next to the last day of the season. Howard set a franchise record for home runs, topping Mike Schmidt's previous mark by 10, and matched Jimmie Foxx's total with the Athletics in 1932 for the most in one season by a Philadelphia player.
For the third time in the past five years, the runner-up was St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, who received the other 12 first-place votes, plus 19 for second and one for third to total 347 points. Pujols, who won the award last year, was a major candidate again this season having led the NL in batting with runners in scoring percentage (.397) and slugging (.671), finished second in home runs (49) and RBI (137) and third in batting (.331).
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