Congratulations to Yadier Molina for being named one of the five finalists for the National League MVP!

Yadi was certainly the Cardinals MVP this season, and our obvious choice for 2012 BAMF.

Plus he’s already earned several awards for his defense this off-season: the Fielding Bible Award,  his fifth straight Gold Glove and the new Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for the Cardinals (because there can’t ever be too many corporate-sponsored awards — which means I should have mentioned it’s the Rawlings Gold Glove, I suppose.)

But being in the top five for NL MVP is definitely a big achievement after Yadi’s stellar year on offense too. He had a career year in pretty much everything, batting .315/.373/.501 with 159 hits, 22 home runs, 76 RBI, 65 runs scored and — best of all — 12 stolen bases. He also led the Cardinals with his .315 average. And he’s never finished higher than 21st in MVP voting, according to Jenifer Langosch.

Both the National League and American League MVPs will be announced next Thursday, Nov. 15, on MLB Network at 5 p.m. In fact, all the Baseball Writers’ Association of America awards will be announced next Monday through Thursday on MLB Network.

Is it wrong to hope that the MVPs really are announced like beauty pageant winners, like Miranda has so wonderfully illustrated above? Because it would be amazing to see Ryan Braun, Chase Headley, Yadi, Andrew McCutchen and Buster Posey all dolled up in their finest evening dresses and of course jewelry, nervously clutching hands as they await the announcement — right?

And I do have to say that Andrew McCutchen looks mighty nice in red … though not nearly as good as Yadi in pink.


Christine Coleman is the senior St. Louis Cardinals reporter for Aaron Miles’ Fastball. Follow her on Twitter, @CColeman802, or email aaronmilesfastball@gmail.com. Also follow @AMilesFastball for the latest updates.