What's Making Me Talk: Heated Stove and a Few Good MVPs

Instead of talking about how wrong the decisions were, why don't we take a minute to dole out some praise?

It's fun to argue about who should have won and who shouldn't have, but now it's time to tip the cap towards our Major League Baseball Most Valuable Players.

Start in the National League, where Albert Pujols, wrecked elbow and all, took home his second MVP award of his career.

I tend to agree with Pujols himself. You just have to look at all the numbers.

Especially when you want to sit back and appreciate just how special of a hitter, scratch that, player he is. I don't agree with Pujols contradicting his previous remarks about the award back when Ryan Howard beat him out.

But, I certainly respect the all-around numbers that this All-World player has put up. His 104 walks to 54 some strikeouts are numbers you would probably see reversed by most players.

Pujols has become such a feared hitter because he just won't take you deep at any given time, he just hits. If his home run stroke isn't in-tune, he simply hits. There virtually is no point in a season where you can feel comfortable about pitching to him, even if he's struggling to hit the long ball.

Not to mention the impact he's had on his teammates in the lineup. Ryan Ludwick has talent, but his career year is no doubt aided by the fear of Pujols.

Switch over to the American League now and marvel at the little runt that just took home a big prize.

I say little runt with nothing but affection, please don't hate me, Dustin.

Your 2008 A.L. MVP is none other than Dustin Pedroia, Boston's small, but mighty, second baseman.

It just goes to show you that heart can always win out against physicality. Pedroia has that heart.

Like Pujols, Pedroia just hits. His swing is bigger than his height and his timing couldn't be more perfect. Not to mention he's quite the gritty defensive player.

We have a good mix this year. A superstar and a soon-to-be major league star. If people aren't aware of Dustin Pedroia yet, they soon will be.

A Prospective Playoff Fix?

Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff has an idea to fix the problem with too many idle days within the MLB Playoffs.

Wolff's idea would be a rather odd one, one that would take us back to the times where team's barely played in these so-called playoffs. Yes, baseball didn't always have a full playoff. Before all the team's we have now came along, it was a regular season then the World Series.

We aren't getting that radical with this idea here, but Wolff suggests we make the first round simply a play-in type format. Yes, just one game.

One game? Man, I don't know about that one. It certainly would be exciting, but we don't need to be changing things that much.

The days off can simply be fixed by starting a series when both team's finish. Make sure each team gets at least one day off and go from there.

Also get rid of these days off in between games that don't travel anywhere. That makes no sense.

One game just doesn't seem fair. Exciting, but we don't need to go to those extremes to get the playoffs done before November hits.

College football fans are upset that they just can't get a playoff period. Mr. Wolff wants to shorten his. That just bites.

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