Howard had a season that challenged convention, one that made him only the second player voted Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in consecutive years. Howard becomes the second player in Major League Baseball history to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards in consecutive seasons, following Cal Ripken in 1982 and 1983. Fred Lynn (1975) and Ichiro Suzuki (2001) have the sweeter distinctio of winning both awards in their first seasons.
After leading the major leagues in home runs and RBIs, Howard received 20 first-place votes and 12 seconds for 388 points in balloting by a panel of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Pujols got 12 firsts, 19 seconds and one third for 347 points.
“It’s definitely a relief. It’s a good birthday present,” said Howard, who turned 27 Sunday. Howard is satisfied with this award.