Dodgers Web musings: The post-Matt Kemp loses MVP edition

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Did they get it right or was it a mindbogglingly dumb decision?

Nothing like a controversial MVP vote to get everyone’s baseball juices going in late November.

The Baseball Writers Assn. of America gave its National League MVP award to Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun and not the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp on Tuesday, which was exactly as it should be, or the worst decision since somebody decided, ‘Hey, how about a remake of Conan the Barbarian!’

The various opinions came fast and heavy:

-- The Times’ Bill Plaschke said Kemp not winning the award was plain robbery and writers should have given more weight to Braun having Prince Fielder hit behind him.

-- Fox Sports’ Tracy Ringolsby said the writers got it exactly correct and is confused why some can’t correlate valuable to winning.

-- Sports Illustrated’s Cliff Corcoran said the voting defies logic and that the BBWAA has a long way to go.

-- CBS Sports’ Danny Kobler said it was a tough call but extra points have to be awarded to Braun for affecting a pennant race.

-- CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder said not so fast, most valuable should equate to most outstanding player.

-- ESPN’s Christina Kahrl said writers are showing signs of utilizing sabermetrics, but not nearly enough.

-- Whereas ESPN’s Dan Szymborski (Insider status required) thinks writers are embracing the new stats.

-- Hall of Fame writer Ross Newhan said his vote would have gone to Braun, but in the end each probably received the correct award, Braun the MVP and Kemp the Hank Aaron as the N.L.’s top hitter. -- The New York Post’s Joel Sherman hopes the BBWAA never puts a clear definition on what valuable means, and that unlike in the other professional leagues, baseball’s MVP is wonderfully distinct for the passion it evokes.

-- ESPN/LA’s Tony Jackson said the best part of Kemp’s 2011 season is that he can use it as a springboard for 2012.

-- Fox Sports West’s Michael Martinez thinks Kemp’s second-place finish could ensure a more determined player in 2012.

And in non-MVP posts:

-- Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal said the Dodgers are in on utility player Jerry Hairston, whom they also seriously considered last year.

-- Peter O’Malley gives a Q&A with the Palm Beach Post on his return to Dodgertown: ‘Vero Beach is like being your best friend.’

-- Paul Oberjuerge has thoughts on how to fill out the rest of those 10 Dodger Greats bobbleheads.

-- So does Roberto Baly of Vin Scully Is My Homeboy.

-- Baly has details of a book Clayton Kershaw has written with his wife, Ellen, titled: ‘Arise.’ It’s due Jan. 18. Baly also has news on their foundation, with video.

-- Steve Dilbeck