Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen was named the NL Most Valuable Player after leading his team to the postseason for the first time in two decades.
He received 28 of 30 first place votes to beat out second place Paul Goldschmidt and third place Yadier Molina. Molina received the other two first place votes.
McCutchen, 27, hit .317/.404/.508 (158 OPS+) with 21 home runs, 27 stolen bases and 84 RBI this past season and becomes the first Pirates player to win the MVP since Barry Bonds in 1992.
McCutchen became the face of the franchise and heard loud “MVP!” chants when he would step to the plate at PNC Park this summer.
“I’d lie to you if I said it didn’t enter my mind ever,” he said. “It’s awesome to hear something like that.”
McCutchen became just the fourth National League center fielder to win the MVP award in MLB history. He joins Willie McGee, Dale Murphy and Willie Mays.
