Tigers starter Justin Verlander took home the American League MVP Award Monday, capping a season where the ace threw a no-hitter, won the pitcher’s triple crown, and captured the Cy Young Award.
The 28-year-old went 24–5 this season with a 2.40 ERA while striking out 250 batters in becoming the first starting pitcher since Roger Clemens in 1986 to win the American League MVP. Dennis Eckersley was the last pitcher to win it as a closer in 1992.
Verlander received 13 of 28 first place votes to beat out runners-up Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Bautista, and Curtis Granderson, who received 4, 5, and 3 first-place votes, respectively. Verlander’s teammate Miguel Cabrera (2) and Michael Young (1) were the only others receiving first place votes.
