As the stretch run of the 2009 baseball season approaches, it’s time to look at the National League MVP candidates. A lot of players are having great seasons this season — especially in the NL.
Here are our top four MVP candidates in the National League for the 2009 season:
1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
Is there any question who is at the top of the heap? Pujols has been great all season. Currently he’s hitting .324 with 36 homers, 85 runs and 97 RBIs. If he keeps it up, the NL MVP should be his.
2. Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins
Playing with the …read more

The Milwaukee Brewers and first baseman Prince Fielder have agreed on a contract that will pay Fielder $18 over the next two seasons. The two-year deal locks up arguably Milwaukee’s most feared bat and gives Fielder some security.
Fielder had asked for $8 million this season in salary arbitration. After this deal is up, he’ll again be eligible for arbitration.
Last season, Fielder played well but not as well as he did in 2007. In 2007, Fielder hit 50 homers and had 119 RBIs, 109 runs and a batting average of .288. Last season, Fielder had 34 homers to go along with …read more

5. Boston Red Sox
The reigning World Series champions are in good position so far in 2008. The Red Sox haven’t had a dominant season, however they should be able to make the postseason. Once they make the postseason, no other team in baseball wants to face Boston.
4. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers were good before trading for CC Sabathia. However, now after adding Sabathia to their team and surviving an incident that saw Prince Fielder push a teammate, the Brewers are really rolling. Currently, the Brewers have won eight straight games. Sabathia has personally won …read more

During the Milwaukee Brewers’ 6-3 loss against the Cincinnati Reds, tempers flared. However, the fight didn’t involve the two teams. The fight involved Prince Fielder and Manny Parra of the Brewers. At the end of this entry, you can watch a video of the fight.
Although no one associated with the Brewers has said specifically want started the fight, the leading rumor is that Fielder was mad that Parra was retreated to the clubhouse. The two exchanged words and a little physical contact before it was broken up. After the game, tempers appeared to be back …read more

Here’s a look at the best teams in baseball as we head into the month of July.
1. Boston Red Sox – The defending champions still the best in the business.
2. Tampa Bay Rays – The Rays are starting to look like they are for real.
3. Chicago Cubs – Could the 100-year curse finally be ready to die?
4. Los Angeles Angels – When they get hot, the Angels can beat anyone.
5. St. Louis Cardinals – With Pujols healthy, the Cardinals are good enough.
6. Chicago White Sox – The madder Ozzie Guillen gets, the better they play.
7. Philadelphia Phillies – Does …read more

Last season, Prince Fielder exploded onto the scene with 50 homers and 119 RBIs. The then 23-year-old slugger finished third in the NL MVP balloting for his efforts. His 50 homeruns were first in the NL, while his 119 RBIs placed him third.
His 2008 baseball season to date wasn’t as explosive. In his first 20 games, Fielder had only one homer. However, on Wednesday, Fielder hit a pair of homeruns to help his Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 and improve the team’s record to 13-8.
“I have got a job to do,” said Fielder after …read more

More games? Okay, if you insist:

Dodgers at Diamondbacks, 12:40 p.m. PT — Hiroki Kuroda looked outstanding in his North American debut. I expected the funky delivery that is characteristic of pitchers who come over from Japan, but the velocity caught me by surprise. He was pumping 93-mph fastballs against the Padres. Micah Owings gets the call for Arizona. He dominated the Rockies in his first start of ‘08 (although he only went 1-for-4 at the plate, LOL). Wasn’t there talk that the Snakes might stick Owings in the field at some point? I think that’s crazy, but it would be …read more

All the sad young men
Choking on their worth
Trying to be brave
Running from the truth
–”All the Sad Young Men,” Tommy Wolf and Fran Landesman
I don’t think Wolf and Landesman were talking about baseball players, but the sentiment may apply. At least two young men whose contracts were up for renewal are sad because, well, their contracts got renewed.
Say wha’?
First up, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder:
I’m not happy about it at all. The fact I’ve had to be renewed two years in a row, I’m not happy about it because there’s a lot of guys who have the same amount of …read more

First off, thanks to everyone who has made this month the most successful in Knuckle Curve history. That gets me fired up because the season hasn’t even started yet. I would like to thank in particular some of the many fine sites that have sent folks my way in February:

Was Watching
Brock for Broglio
Brew Crew Ball
Obscure Sports Quarterly

Your support is much appreciated! I’ve also gotten a fair amount of love from StumbleUpon. If you’re on SU, feel free to add me as a friend. If you’re not, why not give it a shot? (And no, nobody is paying me to say …read more