Justin Morneau had tough competition in his team itself, when it came to earn American League Most Valuable Player awards.
Morneau received 15 first-place votes, eight seconds, three thirds and two fourths for 320 points in voting by a panel of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Jeter got 12 firsts, 14 seconds, one fourth and one sixth for 306 points.
Despite many people expecting Derek Jeter to win the award, Morneau’s breakout season earned him the honor bestowed by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Morneau edged Jeter by earning 320 points to the shortstop’s 306. It was the 16th-closest MVP race since the current format began in 1938, and the 10th-closest in the AL.
“It woke me up,” Morneau said Tuesday after edging Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees to win the AL’s Most Valuable Player award.