NEW YORK, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Minnesota first baseman Justin Morneau won a narrow vote to claim the American League Most Valuable Player Award.
Moreau, for whom 2006 was just his second full major-league season, totaled 320 points and edged New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who had 306 points, for the award. Boston's David Ortiz was third (193) and Frank Thomas, who played for Oakland last season and has since signed with Toronto, was fourth (174).
Morneau was first on 15 of the 28 ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He was listed second on eight others, third on three and fourth on two in results released Tuesday. Jeter was first on 12 ballots, second on 14 and fourth on one.
The 25-year-old hit .321 with 34 home runs and had 130 runs batted in last season in helping the Twins to the AL Central title.
He is the second Minnesota player to win a big post-season award in 2006. Last week the Twins' Johan Santana was voted the American League Cy Young Award winner.
