Pujols clinches 2nd straight NL MVP plum

NEW YORK – Albert Pujols was unanimously voted National League MVP on Tuesday, becoming the first player to repeat since Barry Bonds won four in a row from 2001-04.

Pujols received all 32 first-place votes and 448 points in balloting announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

It was the third MVP award for the St. Louis Cardinals star, who also won in 2005.

Pujols said he concentrates on World Series titles, not MVP awards. He won his only championship in 2006.

“I always make a joke. I got 10 fingers. I want to get nine more (World Series) rings,” he said. “I want to get as many as Derek Jeter has so far (five). Obviously that’s hard to do.”

Pujols does have one individual goal – the Hall of Fame.

“Obviously, there is still a long way to go,” he said.

Pujols led Major League Baseball in home runs (47), runs (124), slugging percentage (.658) and intentional walks (44), and topped the NL in on-base percentage (.443). He was second in the league in doubles (45) and third in batting average (.327) and RBIs (135).

He was especially dangerous with the bases loaded, going 10 for 17 with five grand slams, three doubles and 35 RBIs.

“I think it was the most consistent year,” he said. “I was pretty much hot from April until almost September.”

Florida’s Hanley Ramirez, the NL batting champion, was second with 233 points, followed by Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard (217) and Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder (203), who tied Howard for the big league lead in RBIs.       (AP)