Puerto Rican Texas Ranger catcher Ivan Rodríguez surprised Pedro Martínez and local sports writers by winning the Most Valuable Player of the American League. Martínez lost when two of the sports writers did not vote for him, despite having won eight first places, vs. seven first places of the Puerto Rican. "I am surprised, I thought I had the numbers to win, but I respect the decision of the sports writers. They have their job to do, and I have mine," he told AP from his home in Santo Domingo. A disappointed Pedro Martínez said further, " It’s okay, I am not going to cry. It would have been an honor. But I have the Cy Young award. And that’s enough." The sports writers vote was as follows: Iván Rodríguez (252), Pedro Martínez (239), Roberto Alomar (226), Manny Martinez (226).
