"Often reluctant to discuss his own personal accomplishments, Reds first baseman Joey Votto has done something that will speak volumes for him over the remainder of his career.

Votto was named the National League's Most Valuable Player on Monday.

In balloting that took place at the end of the regular season by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Votto received 31 out of a possible 32 first-place votes and 433 points to earn his first MVP trophy. It prevented Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols from winning his third in a row and fourth overall.

Although he was the NL Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner at first base, Pujols was second in MVP voting with 279 points, netting one first-place vote. Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was next with 240 points.

Votto, 27, is the 12th Reds player to win the NL MVP Award and the first since Barry Larkin in 1995.

Clearly, the voters did not penalize Votto for not leading any of the three Triple Crown categories. Gonzalez won the batting title with a .336 average and Pujols had the most home runs (42) and RBIs (118)."