Braves fans livid at Austin Riley NL MVP finalist snub
Atlanta Braves fans took a break from celebrating their World Series to go to bat fr Austin Riley after his snub as an NL MVP finalist.
The Braves won the ultimate prize this season but their players aren’t exactly cleaning up in the postseason awards race after their World Series triumph.
On Monday, the finalists for the NL MVP were announced and Austin Riley wasn’t one of them.
With Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto and Bryce Harper vying for the award, fans in Atlanta think Riley was a major snub.
But where is Austin Riley? Come on. https://t.co/3NvtVngxQX
— T🐥 (@_tduck) November 9, 2021
How is Austin Riley not a MVP finalist? Smh MLB is wilding. #BattleATL
— AB (@Atlsports6) November 9, 2021
When Austin Riley is not a finalist for the MVP and Brian Snitker is not a finalist for NL Manager of the Year. pic.twitter.com/wnKj5iy6rA
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) November 9, 2021
Austin Riley doesn’t need your pathetic MVP award.
— josé ⚾️ (64-34) (@bravesnyc_) November 9, 2021
He’s a World Champion. https://t.co/pvikVWD745
i love how braves twitter just collective decided to post pictures of braves players with the trophy under the finalist announcements
— lex • fan acc (@bloopyszn) November 9, 2021
cy young? who cares here’s max fried
rookie of the year? boring ian anderson better
mvp? wishes they were austin riley pic.twitter.com/vtiUQr8uh4
The official Braves account had their say as well.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 9, 2021
Not all Braves fans were irate though.
Look, I love Austin Riley. He had an excellent season. But he didn’t quite have as good of a season as those top 3 dudes. They all three balled out and def deserve it
— Braves Cold Takes (@BravesColdTakes) November 9, 2021
Let me put things into perspective:
— nola is my dad (@Suhhh_Kiiid) November 9, 2021
Bryce Harper OPS: 1.044
Austin Riley OPS: .898
Josh Rojas OPS: .752
The difference between the 3 is .146 OPS points each. Riley had a phenomenal season…should be top 5 MVP, but I don’t wanna hear he was robbed. He got his award: a WS ring.
Who wins the argument? You be the judge.
Fernando Tatis stats
Tatis Jr. finished his season with a league-best 42 home runs. The Padres star had 97 RBI while batting .282/.364/.611.
Juan Soto stats
Soto was a bright spot for the Nationals. He led MLB with 145 walks while hitting 29 home runs and producing 95 RBI. He averaged .313/.465/.534 with his on-base percentage leading the majors. His WAR was first among position players.
Bryce Harper stats
Harper didn’t make the All-Star team this year but he put up big numbers with 35 home runs and 84 RBI. He batted .309/.429/.615, leading MLB in slugging percentage and OPS. He had more extra-base hits, runs created and win probability added than anyone in the NL.
Austin Riley 2021 stats
Riley was great across the board with 33 home runs and 107 RBI while batting .303/.367/.531. He was Top 5 in the NL in hits, total bases, RBI, singles and sacrifice flies. As a third baseman, he was third in putouts, first in assists, fifth in double plays tuned and third in fielding percentage.
The good news is Riley is still young. He should have more opportunities to make a run at the NL MVP down the line.
Next. Max Fried joins Braves royalty. dark