Justin Verlander edged out Jose Bautista and Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury for the American League MVP Award, receiving 13 of the 28 first-place votes, as announced by Major League Baseball on Monday afternoon.
Verlander, who also won the AL Cy Young, is the first pitcher to win the award since Dennis Eckersley won it in 1992 and the first starter to win the award since Roger Clemens did so in 1986 as a member of the Red Sox. Prior to Verlander, the last pitcher to even come close to winning the award in both leagues was former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez.
In 34 starts, Verlander posted a remarkable 24-5 record with a 2.40 ERA, 250 strikeouts and 57 walks for the Detroit Tigers. Ellsbury, who had four first-place votes, hit .321 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI in 2011. Bautista received five first-place votes while Curtis Granderson received three, Miguel Cabrera received two and Michael Young got one.
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