From year to year when the Academy Award nominations are announced, showcasing the best in cinematic entertainment, there is always a little film that slides in and pulls just a little bit of recognition away from the big boys. For every "The Departed," there's a "Little Miss Sunshine." For every "No Country For Old Men," there's a "Juno." For every Martin Scorsese there's a Jason Reitman. So in a year where Chase Utley, Lance Berkman, and Chipper Jones are putting up monstrous numbers in the National League, for your consideration I give you ...
Ryan Ludwick. And like those little films that get nominated for the Oscar, Ludwick should get some serious consideration for his league's top honor at the end of the year. On June 11, the day the Cardinals placed all-universe slugger Albert Pujols on the DL with a calf injury, Ludwick hit his team-leading 16th home run, good for sixth in the National League. His other numbers through June 11 were just as spicy: Ludwick was sixth in the National League in batting with a .321 average; second in slugging with a lofty .684; and his on-base percentage was a robust .393.
