ANAHEIM -- Mike Trout has often been considered the best all-around player in the game, and now the Angels' center fielder has the trophy to help back that claim.Trout was named the American League's Most Valuable Player Award winner on Thursday, an honor that became a foregone conclusion after yet another superb season. Trout got all 30 first-place votes by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, becoming the youngest unanimous MVP in Major League history. His 420 points easily the topped the two fellow finalists, with Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez getting 229 points and Indians outfielder Michael Brantley amassing 185 points. 
"It's unbelievable, just to think about it," Trout told MLB Network via satellite from his parents' house in New Jersey. "If you would've told me this before, when the season started, I would've just laughed at you. This is an unbelievable feeling. It's awesome."Trout joins Vladimir Guerrero (2004) and Don Baylor (1979) as the only AL MVP Award winners in Angels history and is the 17th player to win it unanimously, with Frank Robinson doing it twice and Albert Pujols -- with the Cardinals in 2009 -- being the latest."So exciting to see another AL MVP wearing the Angels' uniform," said Guerrero, who, like Trout, wore No. 27. "I also want to thank Mike for wearing my favorite number.""It may be his first MVP," Baylor added, "but it won't be his last."Trout, who didn't turn 23 until this past Aug. 7, now has a unanimous MVP Award to join his unanimous AL Rookie of the Year Award selection three years earlier. He is the fifth-youngest MVP in history and the youngest since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1983 -- a year in which the former Orioles shortstop didn't turn 23 until Aug. 24.Trout led the Majors in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) for the third straight season with a score of 7.8, according to FanGraphs.com. He posted a .287/.377/.561 slash line, hit a career-high 36 homers, led the AL in RBIs (111) and runs scored (115), and paced the Majors in total bases (338) and extra-base hits (84). In the process, he became the first player in baseball history with at least 300 runs, 75 homers and 75 steals in his first 400 games."Mike has had an incredible start to his career," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said in a statement. "His play this year totally embodies what an MVP is all about. His terrific performance, along with his selfless style of play, has made him a tremendous leader on this team."Trout is the fourth AL player to finish in the top two of MVP ballots three or more straight years, joining Mickey Mantle (1960-62), Yogi Berra (1953-56) and Hal Newhouser (1944-46). The three-time AL All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner also is the sixth player to win All-Star Game MVP and regular-season MVP in the same season."The sky is the limit for Mike," Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton said."Mike respects the game and plays it the right way," Pujols said. "It's a privilege to have him as a teammate and a friend."Trout burst onto the scene with an improbable rookie season in 2012 (.326 average, .963 OPS, 30 homers, 49 steals, 10.1 WAR) and avoided a sophomore slump with a similarly impressive 2013 season (.323 average, .988 OPS, 27 homers, 33 steals, 10.5 WAR). But he lost out to Miguel Cabrera, who posted better power numbers for division-champion Tigers teams (including the Triple Crown in '12) but produced a lower WAR.This season, Trout led the AL with 184 strikeouts, stole a relatively low 16 bases, reached base less frequently -- a .416 on-base percentage from 2012-13; a .377 on-base percentage in 2014 -- and had a minus-9.8 Ultimate Zone Rating in center field. But the power numbers increased, no other players particularly stood out, and the Angels led the Majors with 98 wins during the regular season.Unlike the last two years, there was no debate this time around."Mike Trout has been an all-around force over the past three seasons," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "This honor is well deserved and further affirms his position as the premier player in the game."
Alden Gonzalez/MLB.com
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