By Karen Price

Published: Thursday, November 15, 2012, 6:34 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, November 15, 2012

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey was named National League MVP in a landslide Thursday, with the Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun coming in second, and Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen finishing third.

Miguel Cabrera, who became the first player in 45 years to win the Triple Crown, was named American League MVP. He was listed first on 22 of 28 ballots and second on the other six to beat out the Angels' Mike Trout by 81 points. The Rangers' Adrian Beltre finished third with 210 points, followed by Robinson Cano, of the Yankees, and the Rangers' Josh Hamilton.

Posey, 25, received 27 first-place votes and finished with 422 points, while Braun totaled 285 points and McCutchen had 245. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina finished fourth with 241 points. San Diego's Chase Headley rounded out the top five with 127 points.

Braun received three first-place votes, and Molina got two. McCutchen, Posey and Braun, who won the award in 2011, were the only three players named on every ballot.

“It was an honor just to be nominated for National League MVP this season along with some of MLB's best players,” McCutchen said in a statement released by the Pirates. He is traveling in the West Indies as part of a Nike-sponsored trip. “I want to congratulate Buster Posey on an amazing season.”

The Pirates' outfielder was a favorite for the award at midseason. His batting average was .362 the first half of the season, but he cooled off in August and his slide — along with the Pirates — likely influenced voters. Still, the outfielder posted career-highs in virtually every category, including batting average (.327), hits (194, most in the league), home runs (31), RBI (96) and runs (107).

“I believe that being an MVP finalist shows true improvement both from myself and the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and that we are moving in the right direction,” McCutchen said.

“Media members, players and fans alike are beginning to notice this progress as well. I am motivated to continue to work hard, and I'm already looking forward to the 2013 season.”

Karen Price is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-320-7980 or kprice@tribweb.com.

1. Pirates notebook: Beanballs escalate tension against Reds
2. Pirates announce signing of first-round pick McGuire
3. Morton, quick start propel Pirates past Reds
4. Pirates notebook: Mercer now the top option at shortstop
5. First-rounder McGuire expected to sign with Pirates on Tuesday
6. Pirates notebook: Burnett goes on DL with ‘discomfort’ in calf
7. Cole solid again as Pirates beat Dodgers
8. Pirates notebook: McDonald’s role might be in relief
9. Reds hit 4 solo homers, defeat Pirates, 4-1
10. Pirates outslug Giants, 12-8
11. Pirates notebook: Locke was thinking of pitching complete game

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.