Mattingly became the Yankees' full-time first baseman and an MVP candidate.

He was cited as a possible MVP candidate, and made his fifth consecutive All-Star team.

Pair that with his 3 for 4, two-run performance in Game 1 and we'd say he's living up to the expectations of an MVP candidate.

Giroux showed a national audience how he's blossomed into an MVP candidate with a backhander 1:55 later for his 18th goal and a 2-0 lead.

He was a top MVP candidate but lost it due to a flagrant foul he committed.

This record was fueled by the left foot of MVP candidate Brad Davis's league leading 16 assists.

Otis developed into an All-Star, and an occasional MVP candidate.

Thanks to this tremendous start, Miller was considered an MVP candidate.

Up to that point he had been averaging 26.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, and had been mentioned as an MVP candidate.

Somewhat surprisingly, the first player to crack was MVP candidate and team leader Dwight Howard.