"Good things came to one who waited Monday.

Justin Verlander is the American League's MVP, adding the high honor to his Cy Young Award, as well as to his player of the year award.

But the Tigers ace thought he lost the MVP vote when his phone didn't ring when he hoped.

Fifteen minutes later, it rang.

No wonder it was such a relief when Verlander was named MVP, becoming the first Tigers player to win it since 1984 (Guillermo Hernandez).

And, he was the first pitcher in either league to win it since 1992 (A's reliever Dennis Eckersley).

Until the moment he actually was told, and heard it for himself, Verlander couldn't be sure.

"I didn't know how the writers were going to go," he said. "But obviously I wanted it badly.""