The Baseball Writers’ Association of America has named 28-year-old Vladimir Guerrero, the Anaheim Angels’ right-fielder, as the winner of the American League’s Most Valuable Player award. Vladimir Guerrero was back in his native Dominican Republic when he learnt the news. He visited the Presidential Palace and received congratulations from President Leonel Fernandez.
“The Dominican people are proud of his accomplishments,” said Sports Minister Jay Payano on behalf of Fernandez. “We invite everyone to visit the Dominican Republic to see where Guerrero and other great Dominican players like Pedro Martinez began.”
Guerrero defeated David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox, and US nationals Gary Sheffield of the Yankees. The results of the vote show that Sheffield placed second, followed by Ramirez.
The MLB website credits Guerrero’s MVP accolade to his having hit .337 with 39 homeruns and 126 RBIs, and having scored 124 runs and played in 156 games to lead his club in almost every significant offensive category. Guerrero also racked up 39 doubles, 206 hits, an on-base percentage of .391 and a .598 slugging percentage.
Other reasons for the honors are his consistency throughout the year and his stellar performance at the end of the regular season when the Angels caught the Oakland A’s to win their first division crown since 1986 and reach the playoffs for the second time in three years. Over the regular season’s last 10 games, Guerrero hit .474 with seven homers and 12 RBIs, striking out just once in his final 38 at-bats.
David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox finished fourth in the voting, followed by Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, yet two more players of Dominican origin.
Guerrero is the fifth Dominican to be named an MVP and the fourth in the AL, joining 2003’s winner Rodriguez for the Texas Rangers, 2002 winner Miguel Tejada for Oakland and George Bell who was honored in 1987 while playing with the Toronto Blue Jays. Chicago Cubs right-fielder Sammy Sosa was the NL’s MVP in 1998.