Cardinals' Pujols wins 2nd NL MVP award

Albert Pujols, who may have done everything this season but lead the St. Louis Cardinals into the playoffs, was given his due Monday.

The star first baseman was the recipient of the National League most valuable player award for the second time in four years, becoming the 25th multiple MVP winner in the NL and American League.

"I wasn't surprised at all," Pujols said. "You have to consider everything. You have to put all the numbers together."

Pujols, who hit .357 in 2008 with 37 home runs and 116 runs batted in over 148 games, won by a comfortable margin over fellow first baseman Ryan Howard of the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies.

The 28-year-old earned 18 of the first-place votes from the panel of 32 Baseball Writers' Association of America and had 369 points after posting seven top-10 finishes in his previous seven seasons, including the top five six times.

What makes this year's honour more special than Pujols's victory in 2005 is he played much of the 2008 campaign with a sore right elbow. That, and the fact he received a $200,000 US bonus for winning the award.

Howard, who led the majors with 48 homers and 146 RBI, drew 12 first-place votes and 308 points after he overcame a slow start to set a Phillies record with 32 RBI in September and lead the team to the NL East title. He was NL MVP in 2006.

Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun placed third in voting with 139 points and received $50,000.

Outfielder Manny Ramirez came in fourth after batting .396 and slugging .743 in 53 games with 17 home runs and 53 RBI with the Dodgers following a trade from Boston.

Houston first baseman Lance Berkman was fifth and Brewers ace left-hander CC Sabathia sixth.

Brad Lidge, perfect on 41 save chances for the Phillies during the regular season, drew the other two first-place votes and came in eighth.

"There were so many candidates," Pujols said on a conference call from his home in St. Louis. "I'm happy I didn't have to make that decision."

Pujols was remarkably consistent all year, a trait he's demonstrated throughout his career. He is the only big leaguer to hit at least 30 home runs in his first eight seasons in the majors,

He also ranked among the top 10 players in several NL categories, including average (second), home runs (fifth), RBI (fourth), multi-hit games (fourth, 56), hits (third, 187), total bases (first, 342), walks (second, 104), on-base percentage (second, .462), slugging percentage (first, .653) and extra-base hits (second, 81).

In mid-October, Pujols had surgery for nerve irritation in his right elbow, an ailment that caused numbness, tingling in his ring finger and pinkie, a weak grip and pain inside his forearm. He is expected to be ready for spring training.

"The worst part was the last two months," Pujols said, adding there was still a slight chance he might need elbow ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgery. "I'm crossing my fingers," he said.

The Cardinals finished fourth in the NL Central Division with an 86-76 record, 11 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs.