News
Mauer, Pujols honored by their peers
Duo selected as Outstanding Player in respective leagues
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
10/29/09 1:18 PM EST
Shortly after the World Series wraps up, the Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce their annual MVP winners.On Thursday, the Major League Players Association released its selections for the top players in both leagues. It may be some foreshadowing as to the eventual MVP winners.
The 2009 Players Choice Award winners for Outstanding Player are Minnesota's Joe Mauer (American League) and St. Louis' Albert Pujols (National League).
In votes cast by the players themselves, these two are the best of the best.
Mauer, the 26-year-old catcher, posted the highest batting average in either league, hitting .365 to go along with a .444 on-base percentage. He added 28 home runs and 96 RBIs, both career highs.
The impressive play of Mauer helped the Twins edge the Tigers for the AL Central crown.
Mauer was the players' pick over finalists Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Kendry Morales of the Angels.
Overcoming a lower back injury that forced him to miss the first month of the season, Mauer -- a three-time All-Star -- is the first catcher in MLB history to lead the league in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage (.587) in the same year.
This is Mauer's first Players Choice Award.
As for Pujols, it was business as usual for the 29-year-old first baseman.
The slugger now has seven Players Choice Awards.
Pujols paced the National League with 47 home runs and 124 runs scored. He also led the league in on-base percentage (.443) and slugging percentage (.658).
The veteran was second in doubles (45) and third in batting average (.327). He added 135 RBIs and 115 walks.
Backed by Pujols, the Cardinals won their fourth NL Central crown in six years.
Pujols takes the Players Choice Award over finalists Prince Fielder of the Brewers and the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez.
In the past, Pujols received Players Choice Awards as Player of the Year and NL Outstanding Player in 2003 and '08. He's also been touted as the Marvin Miller Man of the Year in '06 and the NL Outstanding Rookie in '01.
Each year, Players Choice Awards are presented to the best player, pitcher, rookie and comeback player in each league. The Player of the Year and Marvin Miller Man of the Year awards are top prizes, given to just one player, regardless of league.
Major League players voted for the awards in September.
Each 2009 Players Choice Award winner will recommend the charity of his choice to receive a grant from the Major League Baseball Players Trust. Since 1992, the Players Trust has contributed more than $3.5 million dollars to charities around the world in honor of Players Choice Award winners.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
