Mauer honored by his peers, named AL Outstanding Player

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Joe Mauer.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: October 30, 2009 - 12:38 AM

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Joe Mauer's American League MVP chances hinge on a vote by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Two writers from each AL market cast their votes after the regular season, with an announcement coming Nov. 23.

On Thursday, the Twins catcher received a similar award in a vote cast by his peers.

Mauer, 26, was given the Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Player by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Albert Pujols received National League honors for the seventh time.

The union conducted its annual balloting in September, and Mauer became the first Twins player to win the honor, which has been awarded each year since 1993.

In 2006, when Twins first baseman Justin Morneau received AL MVP honors, White Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye was voted AL Outstanding Player by the MLBPA. Then-Twins center fielder Torii Hunter took home the players union's coveted Marvin Miller Award, for service on and off the field, in 2007.

Johan Santana was named AL Outstanding Pitcher in both of his Cy Young Award seasons for the Twins, 2004 and '06.

This year, after missing the first month of the season because of a back injury, Mauer became the first catcher in major league history to lead his league in batting average (.365), on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.587). He also set career highs in home runs (28) and RBI (96).

Note

• The Twins announced plans for a "Moving Sale" on Nov. 7 at the Metrodome. The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include such things as bobbleheads, publications, artwork, Metrodome signage, jerseys, clothing, memorabilia and collectables.

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