The 2008 Cardinal Blogger Awards

First, I have to say thanks to the wide variety of bloggers that participated in this year's voting.  We had 18 different ballots submitted, though not all ballots voted on all categories.

We'll go through the ballot in order, even though there are blowout races on both ends.  Along the way, I'll toss in some quotes from our bloggers about the selections.

And now, to the awards.............



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Also on the Network: √ Colts Face Tough Decisions [Arin It Out] √ Pettitte Thinks Too Highly Of Himself [In Mo We Trust] √ Finally, A Little Heat [C70 At The Bat] √ Speaking of Right-Handed Power... [El Lefty Malo] √ College football is awesome [Tremendous Upside Potential] √ Grizzly Bear grabs woman, heads for NYC [Don't Boo The Birds] √ Iguoadala As Playmaker [Depressed Fan] √ Interview for the Jets Head Coaching Job and Die [Green Pinstripes]

1. Player of the Year
Official nominees: Ryan Ludwick, Yadier Molina, Albert Pujols.
And the winner is...............Albert Pujols

This is like someone coming up to you when you are wolfing down some pizza and asking you if you like pizza. The answer is that obvious.--Busch Birds

I don't care who you are or what team you're on, if Albert's your teammate you'd better learn a little humility 'cause he's going to draw all the attention, all the accolades, and all the glory (although, surprisingly enough, not all the walks).--La Beisbolista

There's nothing to say about the man that can ever adequately describe his awesomeness, so I won't even try.--The Rundown

Pujols won this one going away, tabulating 16 votes to Ludwick's 2.  Ludwick's season was enough to win most any other year, but with Pujols being Pujols and nabbing the NL MVP, it was tough to go with someone else.

2. Pitcher of the Year
Official nominees: Kyle Lohse, Braden Looper, Adam Wainwright
And the winner is................Kyle Lohse

He was lights out in the first half, which was HUGE in the wake of losing Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder and Adam Wainwright.--Bugs and Cranks

Who was the one pitcher that kept the Cardinals afloat all season? Not Adam Wainwright, not Chris Carpenter. Kyle Lohse.--Rockin' the Red

Let's stay on this ballot for the next few years, Kyle.--Redbird Review

Another mandate in the voting, though Lohse had a little more competition than Pujols. Lohse received 14 votes, with Wainwright (2), Looper (1) and Todd Wellemeyer (1) garnering the others.  Many grappled with the quality vs. quantity decision, but in the end Lohse's year-long performance won the day.

3. Game of the Year
Official nominees: July 5, August 22, August 27, September 9
And the winner is................July 5

Ankiel's walk-off hit off Kerry Wood was one of the few moments to smile about in late-game situations this year as a Cards fan.--The Cardinal Virtue

Our first tight race, as the walk-off win against the Cubs, with 5 votes, barely beat out the September 9 game (another walk-off against Chicago), which received 4 tallies.  Others in the mix included August 22 (2), August 27 (2), September 19 (2), May 7 (1), July 26 (1) and August 9 (1).

4. Surprise Player of the Year
Official nominees: Kyle Lohse, Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker
And the winner is................Ryan Ludwick

For the first month and a half of 2008, this is a guy who was still losing at-bats to Chris Duncan!--Pitchers Hit Eighth