Ryan Braun Adds MVP to List of Awards

By J. Brigham | Posted Wednesday, November 30

The highly anticipated votes for the National League MVP ended with a land-slide victory for Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun. The star outfielder took twenty of thirty-two possible votes for first-place, beating out Los Angeles center fielder Matt Kemp. Kemp came away with ten first-place votes. Despite the near identical numbers between Braun and Kemp, the deciding factor was the Dodgers third place finish in the NL West. Detroit pitcher Justin Verlander, winner of the Cy Young Award, claimed the MVP title opposite Braun in the AL.

Braun is the first Brewer to win MVP honors since Robin Yount did it over twenty years ago. This was when the team was playing in the American League. Braun can add this honor to his 2007 NL Rookie of the Year award, and his four All-Star Game invitations.

Braun led the league in slugging percentage with a whopping .597. He had thirty-three homers, stole as many bases, scored 109 runs, and hit 111 RBIs. 2011 was his fourth consecutive season with over 100 RBI’s. His efforts helped the Brewers clinch their first division title in three decades, and win a franchise record ninety-six games.