Associated Press
NEW YORK — Minnesota’s M&M Boys each picked up some first-place votes for the American League MVP award, but neither were able to beat out Boston’s Dustin Pedroia.
Pedroia drew 16 of the 28 first-place votes cast by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and finished with 317 points.
It was a scattered ballot, with five players receiving first-place votes. Pedroia was even left off one ballot — Justin Morneau and Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis were listed on every one.
Morneau, who won the award in 2006, finished second with 257 points while Joe Mauer finished fourth with 188.
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Morneau’s chances may have been hurt by a slump in the season’s final 15 games. After Sept. 9, he went only 10 for 59 with five RBIs. Morneau finished with a .300 average, 23 homers and 129 RBIs. He drew a career-high 76 walks and also hit a career-most 47 doubles.
Mauer won his second batting title in three years, hitting .328 with nine homers, 85 RBIs and a career-high .413 on-base percentage in a career-most 146 games.
"We’re thrilled for both of them," general manager Bill Smith said.
