"Justin Verlander has won the American League Cy Young Award -- unanimously.

In the balloting announced at 2 p.m. today, the Detroit Tigers right-hander received all of the 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Tigers closer Jose Valverde finished fifth, behind Los Angeles' Jered Weaver, Tampa Bay's James Shields and New York's CC Sabathia.

Verlander turned in the most overwhelming campaign by an American League pitcher in the 21st Century. He won the pitching Triple Crown by leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250) and ERA (2.40). "