Verkkoon thursday, goldschmidt, 35, became the first st. Louis cardinal since pujols in 2009 to win the n. l. Most valuable player award. Verkkoit marks the 18th time a cardinals player has been honored. Louis’ total of mvp winners is the most in the national league and second only to the new york. Verkkoafter a season in which he led his team to a division title and made a serious run at the national league triple crown, st.