New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has been named the American League's Most Valuable Player, as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Pedroia, last year's AL Rookie of the Year, garnered 317 points to outdistance Minnesota's Justin Morneau by 60 points. Pedroia placed first on 16 of the 28 ballots cast by two writers from each AL city, second on six others, third on four, and fifth on another, as he became just the second player to win an AL MVP Award the year after being elected Rookie of the Year.

"I didn't know what to expect," said Pedroia. "I was just excited just being named, having my name with all those players. You look around the league and there's a ton of great players. When you hear your name come up in that category, you definitely get excited and honored."

Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr. was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1982 and AL MVP in 1983. Philadelphia's Ryan Howard also accomplished the feat in the NL, as he won the Rookie of the Year in 2005 and the MVP in 2006.

The 25-year-old Pedroia, who is the AL's first second baseman to win this award since Chicago's Nellie Fox in 1959, batted .326 with 17 home runs, 83 RBI and 118 runs scored. He also ranked first in the AL in doubles (54), fourth in total bases (322) and was the only player who had at least 175 hits, 75 runs scored, 75 RBI, 15 home runs, and 20 stolen bases while winning the Gold Glove.

Pedroia, who was left off one ballot, is the 10th different Red Sox player to win the award and the first since Mo Vaughn in 1995. He's also the seventh player ever to lead the AL in runs, hits and doubles in the same season, the first since Ripken in 1983, Pedroia is also the eighth AL player ever to earn MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in the same season.

"I have to find a way to try and have that edge," said Pedroia. "It makes me a better player. I'll always have it. That's never going to go away for me. Next year, 2009 they're (media) going to think that was a fluke. So I have to prepare myself in the offseason and try to be good again."

Morneau picked up seven first-place votes, seven second-place tallies, six thirds, three fourths, three fifths, a sixth, and a seventh-place vote for a total of 257, based on a tabulation system that rewards 14 points for first place, nine for second, eight for third on down to one for 10th.

Pedroia's teammate Kevin Youkilis received two first-place votes and finished third with 201 points in the voting. They are the first pair of teammates to finish among the top three in AL MVP voting since Seattles Ichiro Suzuki (1st) and Bret Boone (3rd) in 2001 and the first Red Sox teammates to do so since Roger Clemens (1st) and Jim Rice (3rd) in 1986.

The 27-year-old Morneau batted .300 with 23 home runs and 129 RBI - second most in the AL and 44 more than anyone on his team - while playing every game. His 47 doubles led all major league first basemen and were a Twins record.

Morneau is one of just three AL players to finish the season with an average over .300 plus at least 40 doubles and 100 RBI.

Rounding out the top-five was Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer, who received two first-place votes, and Chicago outfielder Carlos Quentin. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim closer Francisco Rodriguez picked up the other first-place tally and finished sixth.