As expected, San Francisco OF Barry Bonds was elected the National League MVP for a record 7th time today, and for the 4th consecutive season. Bonds has now won more MVP awards than Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Ted Williams combined ; his 2004 OBP a whole 150 points higher than the closest challenger. Bonds was the first batting champ in his 40’s since Teddy Ballgame, and the first to hit 45 HR’s while totalling fewer than 400 at bats.
Adrian Beltre, Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Victor Conte and Greg Anderson all finished behind Bonds, in that order.