Toronto Blue Jays: AL MVP Award Announced

Jun 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates with shortstop Marcus Semien (10) after hitting a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates with shortstop Marcus Semien (10) after hitting a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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The American League MVP award was announced on Thursday night, which showed that Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Marcus Semien finished second and third respectfully in voting to Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani started to draw comparisons to Babe Ruth this past season for his elite level hitting and pitching, which had him lead the league in fWAR at 8.1.  Ohtani was the unanimous choice as he received all 30 first place votes after finishing the season with 46 home runs, 100 RBI and posting a slash line of .257/.372/.592 while also making a significant contribution on the mound.

Blue Jays fans, players and management should be extremely proud of the seasons that both Guerrero Jr and Semien both had.  Guerrero Jr received 29 second place votes and shockingly one voter had him as the third best player in the league.  Semien received 24 of 30 third place votes, with the rest of his votes finishing fourth and fifth.  The only other player in the league to get a second-place vote was Salvador Perez who finished seventh in voting.

Guerrero spent the majority of the season contending for the AL Triple Crown, which is a rare feat that has a player leading his league in home runs, RBI and batting average.  This accomplishment has only happened once over the last 50 years, which was Miguel Cabrera in 2012.  Guerreroi Jr. finished the season leading in home runs (48), but finished second in batting average (.311) and fifth in RBI (111).  The Montreal born, Dominican Republic native also led the league in five other majority categories, including runs (123) and OPS (1.002).

The Blue Jays signed Semien to a one-year deal this past offseason as he bet on himself to have a big season that could lead him to a larger multi-year deal than he was being offered last offseason.  Semien set the Major League record for most home runs by a second basemen (45) and he also set personal bests in stolen bases (15) and RBI (102).  This is the second time that Semien had finished third in MVP voting as he met that mark in 2019 when he was with the Oakland Athletics.

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The National League MVP award was handed out as well, and the Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper took home the award after receiving 17 of 30 first place votes.