| Weakest multiple MVP winner? OK, so we have three non-HOFers (Murphy, Maris, Gonzalez), one controversial HOFer (Newhouser), and three players not eligible yet (Pujols, Rodriguez, and Bonds). I don't think anyone would dispute that the three ineligibles are better than the other four, even if you give Bonds a heavy penalty for steroid use. Newhouser won his MVP awards during WWII, but he was a terrific pitcher for several years after the war as well, and ranks as deserving of his HOF status, if barely. Murphy, similarly, should be in the HOF, as he is close enough to the "average" HOF to deserve recognition. So it pretty much comes down to Gonzalez, a darn good slugger but otherwise undistinguished, and Maris, a good slugger and fielder in a shorter career. It's close, but I'd say Gonzalez is a slightly weaker player. |