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Sporting News, The, Sept 13, 1999 by Mark Bonavita

It's possible Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire will top the National League MVP balloting again this season. It shouldn't happen, but it could. The award should be limited to players who have helped their teams into playoff contention. Using that as a determining factor, here's our ranking of this year's top contenders:

1. Jeff Bagwell, Astros. Before the season, it seemed the Astros' lineup was overcrowded with mn producers. It wasn't long before Moises Alou was out for the season; Ken Caminiti missed much of the year with a calf injury; and Derek Bell missed time with a pulled groin. Bagwell has prospered despite those injuries and others. He's helped keep the Astros atop the N.L. Central most of the season with his grocery list of talents-power, production, speed and defense.

2. Matt Williams, Diamondbacks. Williams has rebounded from his disappointing Arizona debut to pace one of the N.L.'s top offenses. His success has allowed Luis Gonzalez and Jay Bell to have career years. Minus a prosperous Williams, there would be more pressure on players such as Bell, Gonzalez and Steve Finley, which would make it more difficult for the team to succeed. Williams is playing stellar defense--he is among the league leaders in fielding percentage and total chances.

3. Edgardo Alfonzo, Mets. The biggest knock on Alfonzo is he plays with two other MVP candidates: Robin Ventura and Mike Piazza. Alfonzo shifted back to second base and quickly established himself as arguably one of the league's top glove men there. His improvement on offense has moved him into MVP consideration. Alfonzo is among the league leaders in batting, RBIs, runs and doubles, and has delivered many key hits.

4. Chipper Jones, Braves. Brian Jordan has more RBIs, but Jones is the key to the Braves' offense. Hitting in the No. 3 spot, Jones' RBI total has been stifled by the poor performances of the team's No. 1 and No. 2 hitters. Jones, however, has managed to set career highs in homers, and he could finish with his best batting average. His most dramatic improvement has been his power against lefties, against whom he's hitting .350 with a homer every 13 at-bats.

5. Barry Bonds/Jeff Kent, Giants. OK, they haven't played enough to deserve serious consideration, but there's no denying their influence on the team's success.

Other candidates: Bobby Abreu, Phillies; Sean Casey, Reds; Gonzalez, D-backs; Mike Hampton, Astros; Randy Johnson, D-backs; Jordan, Braves; Kevin Millwood, Braves; Russ Ortiz, Giants; Piazza, Mets; Ventura, Mets; Billy Wagner, Astros.

Mark Bonavita is an associate editor for The SPORTING NEWS.