Brewers Ryan Braun: 2012 NL MVP Runner-up
The 2012 National League Most Valuable Player Award went to San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey. He was a deserving finalist, indeed. However, there was one more candidate who naturally attracted much attention, massive fan following and concomitant
laudation.
He was the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun – the 2011 National League Most Valuable Player Award winner. The balloting by Baseball Writers’ Association of America, ultimately, went to Buster Posey as his team clinched the World Series title this
year.
Posey won the 27 first-place votes compared to 3 of Ryan Braun as the latter scored 285 points compared to the former’s 422. Ryan Braun’s finishing a runner-up had a lot to do with the overall performance of the team as well.
For instance, the Brewers inability to speed their way to postseason effectively put an end to another tremendous season that Braun had. After all, even after the World Series, Buster Posey could not surpass Braun when it came to home runs, total bases,
runs and OPS.
Brewers’ bid to make it to the postseason games came to an end early, but Braun kept the team up offensively and defensively. Nonetheless, it was in the batting average that Posey figured first – having had .319.
Where credit was due, Braun gave it.
"The best players on teams that make it to the postseason deserve extra credit because that's what everybody's top priority is," Braun said. "That's what everybody works for all year. He should have been given credit for it. We gave it a good effort, but
we fell short."
That is where Posey actually outshone all other rivals, and deservingly won the NL MVP ultimately. In effect, Braun did not give any impression of being saddened or disappointed by the final outcome of it.
Not only was Braun having a keen eye on the developments here in the National League, he was following the American League most favourites for the MVP. Detroit Tigers, that was routed by the Giants in the World Series, had Miguel Cabrera as the candidate
for it.
He finished a winner this year and that was something that Braun thought was another right decision.
"I thought Miguel Cabrera deserved the award," Braun said. "I really did. I think historically, the guys that help their teams get to the postseason deserve extra credit. Cabrera was the best player down the stretch, had an incredibly strong finish to his
season, helped his team get to the playoffs.”
A lot could be said about the result of it. But Braun’s assertion that Buster Posey actually deserved the NL MVP goes on to show the graciousness and gracefulness he has as a player – winning awe and admiration of his increasing fans.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect the official editorial policy of Bettor.com
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