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TYIB Awards in cards for Redbirds?

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By Matthew Leach / MLB.com

11/25/09 5:00 PM EST

ST. LOUIS -- If you thought awards season came to an end for the Cardinals on Tuesday with the announcement of the National League Most Valuable Player, you're mistaken. And in fact, fans can still participate.

Six Cardinals are in the running for MLB.com's This Year In Baseball Awards, which fans can vote on. Voting continues at MLB.com until 6:59 p.m. CT on Dec. 11, so there's plenty of time to get involved.

In 2008, a record 12 million votes were cast for the TYIB Awards, and that figure could be surpassed this time around as fans weigh in on the year's top hitter, pitcher, moments and more. The results of the voting will be revealed during the week of Dec. 14-18.

For the Cards, it starts with ace and Cy Young runner-up Chris Carpenter, who is in the running for two awards. He's a nominee for both top starting pitcher and performance of the year, for his two-way showing on Oct. 1. Carpenter pitched five innings for the win and chipped in six RBIs in that game.

Just as with the Cy Young, meanwhile, Carpenter's friend, protege and teammate Adam Wainwright is also up for the starting pitcher of the year award. Wainwright would be a first-time winner, while Carpenter garnered this award during his Cy Young season of 2005.

Albert Pujols has a strong case for hitter of the year, and he'd of course be a repeat winner. Because what award hasn't Pujols won before? He brought this award home in 2003 and 2006, and the newly-minted NL MVP has a fine shot to pick it up once again in '09.

And the stars aren't the only Cards up for consideration.

Ryan Franklin is a candidate for closer of the year, while Yadier Molina is a candidate for defensive player of the year. And general manager John Mozeliak, who put together the division-winning '09 Cards, is in the running for executive of the year.

Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.