Rollins edges Holliday in close race for NL MVP
November 20, 2007
NEW YORK (AP) -Jimmy Rollins won the National League MVP award in a close race over Matt Holliday on Tuesday, boosted by speed and steady all-around play that drove the Philadelphia Phillies to their first playoff berth in 14 years.
The Gold Glove shortstop received 16 of 32 first-place votes and finished with 353 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Holliday, who led Colorado's surprising charge to the World Series, was the runner-up with 11 first-place votes and 336 points. Milwaukee slugger Prince Fielder came in third, with five first-place votes and 284 points.
Rollins batted .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBIs and 41 steals from the leadoff spot, helping Philadelphia rally from a big September deficit to win the NL East. He led the league in runs (139) and triples (20) - and became the second consecutive Phillies player to win the MVP following Ryan Howard last year.
Rollins proved a prophet after saying in spring training that the Phillies were the team to beat in a competitive division.
Holliday, the NL championship series MVP, hit .340 with 137 RBIs - becoming the third player since 1967 to lead a league in both categories. He also had 36 homers and topped the NL in hits (216), total bases (386) and doubles (50).