Section 215
Fansided

Philadelphia Phillies MVP seasons ranked from the good to the greatest

By Tim Boyle

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 02: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies accepts a replica plaque from Mike Schmidt, commemorating his franchise single season high, 58th home run hit in the 2006 season during a pre game ceremony in his honor before a game a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on October 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 02: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies accepts a replica plaque from Mike Schmidt, commemorating his franchise single season high, 58th home run hit in the 2006 season during a pre game ceremony in his honor before a game a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on October 2, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 8
Next
Philadelphia Phillies
(Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

3) Philadelphia Phillies MVP Ryan Howard in 2006

I’m trying not to be biased with Ryan Howard. I really am. The 2006 MVP he took home was memorable for me. As someone who didn’t follow baseball until a few years after the 1993 season, this was a crowning achievement in my fandom. Not only were the Phillies becoming a contender, but they also had the best player in the league on their roster.

Howard did things in 2006 that if he did it only a few more times he might have a strong Hall of Fame case.

Following up on an impressive 88-game Rookie of the Year campaign, Howard turned into one of the game’s biggest threats at the plate. “The Big Piece” would hit a monstrous 58 home runs and drive in 149 runs. It would become a constant for the Phillies’ first baseman for the next few seasons to put up similar numbers. Through 2009, he always had at least 45 home runs and his RBI low was 136.

The 2006 MVP campaign stands out for another reason, though. Howard slashed .313/.425/.659. Competing against Albert Pujols, a purer hitter playing for Howard’s hometown St. Louis Cardinals at the time, the great Phillies left-handed slugger came away on top thanks to 20 first-place votes compared to the 12 Pujols received.

I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to rank this season higher. For the context of the times, it wasn’t too unique. But for the next Phillies MVP on our list, what he did was a little more unprecedented.

Home/Philadelphia Phillies