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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Detroit starter Justin Verlander, who led the major leagues with 24 wins, was selected the Sporting News' 2011 Player of the Year. Verlander is the first pitcher to win the award since Orel Hershiser of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, the publication said in announcing the award Friday.
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Verlander helped the Tigers to the American League Central title. Detroit advanced to the AL Championship Series but lost to the Texas Rangers in six games.
The Sporting News Player of the Year honor is determined by a vote of major league players with 289 -- 177 from the American League and 112 from the National League -- participating this season.
Verlander received 67 votes, 10 more than New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson while Los Angeles Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp was third with 41 votes. Toronto's Jose Bautista and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun tied for fourth with 25 votes each.
Verlander was 24-5 on the year with a 2.40 earned run average. He struck out 250 batters in 251 innings of work.
Granderson , with 41 home runs this season, was second in the majors to Bautista, who hit 43. Kemp led the majors in runs batted in with 126 and Braun was fifth in hitting at .332.
