MPR’s Art Hughes reports that Minnesota's Justin Morneau has been named the American League's Most Valuable Player. Morneau's selection by the Baseball Writers of America comes a week after Johan Santana was named the league's Cy Young award winner. Morneau led New York’s Derek Jeter and the Red Sox's David Ortiz for the honor.
In 2005, Morneau was coming off a mediocre season in the batting box. He ended with a slumpy .239 average and 22 home runs. Now, a year later, the first baseman's hot bat, especially in the last half of the season is one of the ingredients credited for bringing the Twins into the playoffs. Morneau credited batting coach Joe Vavra for believing in him, even as he opened the season with a shaky start in April.