Bonds - MVP?

So let's talk baseball. The playoffs start today, so it seems to be the perfect time. Let me be clear here: I am an unabashed St. Louis Cardinals fan, always have been. That does not mean, at least for me, that I can't take a position on whether Bonds should win the MVP. I believe he should not. Here's why.

Bonds had another amazing year; there's no denying that. He walked a gazillion times and still was near the lead in home runs. But down the stretch, he faltered. Let's go to the numbers in the last two series of the season (not counting the final game which was meaningless). San Francisco's playoff hopes were on the line for these series against San Diego and Los Angeles.

Tue. Sep. 28 0 for 3 w/ 2 walks
Wed. Sep. 29 0 for 3 w/ 1 walk
Thu. Sep. 30 1 for 4 w/ 0 walks
Fri. Oct. 1 0 for 1 w/ 3 walks
Sat. Oct. 2 0 for 1 w/ 3 walks

So, Bonds goes 1 for 12 with 9 walks with the season on the line, and the Giants miss the playoffs by a game. No dispute, Bonds is one of the best ever. But he does not deserve the MVP this year. Three other stars are preparing, as I type, to take the field while Bonds sits at home. Adrian Beltre, Scott Rolen, and Albert Pujols all have statistics worthy of MVP consideration. Plus, their teams, thanks to their efforts, have a chance at a World Series trophy. With similar statistics, tie should go to the player - the player still playing in October.

Give it to Beltre. Give it to Rolen. Give it to Pujols. Just don't give it to Bonds. He doesn't deserve it. When it counted, he let his team down. That's not valuable in my book.