DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers' slugging third baseman and Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera has been voted the 2012 American League Most Valuable Player.
Cabrera, 29, beat fellow front-runner for the award Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who had a standout rookie season in outfield.
It was Cabrera's league-leading batting average (.330), 44 homeruns, 139 RBIs and solid finish to the season to help his team get to the playoffs which may have ultimately made him the strongest case for winning the MVP title. He is the second Tiger to win the award in as many years -- Justin Verlander in 2011.
Some argued Trout would win the award for his all-around contributions to the Angels' lineup, outfield and base running.
But Cabrera's dominance at home plate, which culminated in a rare Triple Crown season (first in MLB since 1967), was too much for the panel of 28 members of the Baseball Writers Association of America to pass up.
He received 22 of the 28 1st place votes -- Trout received the other six.
The Tigers' trip to the World Series also may have played a factor in the decision. Cabrera's effort helped the team get all the way to the big show.
The 2012 National League MVP award went to San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, the first catcher to win the ward in 70 years.