I have mixed emotions about this. As a Cards fan, and a huge Pujols fan, I feel he deserved the MVP again this year. OTOH, I have been cheering for Ryan and am very happy to see him get it, if Pujols didn't. I've been cheering for Ryan, NOT the Phillies. My daughter and Ryan graduated in the same class from Lafayette High School in Chesterfield, Missouri. They marched together in the band. In fact, in their senior year my daughter, Ryan, and his twin brother made up the trombone section of the marching band. Very easy to pick out that section, with Ryan at 6'5", his brother at 6'4", and my daughter at 6'3". At the time she had long blond hair, and the Howard brothers had sightly darker hair and complexion.
One thing I am absolutely certain of is that Ryan is not the product of any steroids. His parents are both doctors, and would kick his butt if he did anything to hurt his body. They would not let him play football, but he was also excellent in basketball. Ryan and his brother were both part of a Lafayette BB team in their senior year that was nationally ranked (I think about 15) in their senior year. They ended up taking second in the Missouri State championship.
Hitting home runs isn't something new for Ryan. He put a lot of balls out of the park in high school.
So I congratulate Ryan. I'd love to see him come home to the Cardinals. Unfortunately, the Cards already have a first baseman.
