NEW YORK – Minnesota's Joe Mauer was named baseball's American League Most Valuable Player on Monday, becoming just the second catcher in 33 years to win the AL award.

The Twins star was a near-unanimous winner in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He received 27 of 28 first-place votes and 387 points.

Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter, teammates on the World Series-winning New York Yankees, were second and third.

Mauer topped the American League in batting with a .365 average. He also led in on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

Teixeira finished with 225 points after leading the league with 122 RBIs and tying for first with 39 homers. Jeter had 193 points while Detroit's Miguel Cabrera drew the other first-place vote and was fourth.