Mattingly Is Named AL’s Most Valuable Player

First baseman Don Mattingly of the New York Yankees, who led the major leagues with 145 runs batted in this season, was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player by the Baseball Writers Assn. of America Wednesday.

Mattingly received 23 first-place votes and five seconds for a total of 367 points in balloting by a 28-reporter panel, two voters from each of the 14 league cities.

Third baseman George Brett of the Kansas City Royals finished second with five firsts, 20 seconds and three thirds for 274 points. Mattingly and Brett were the only players named on all 28 ballots. Points are awarded on the basis of 14 for a first-place vote, 9 for second, 8 for third, etc.

Outfielder Rickey Henderson of the Yankees was third with 174 points, followed by third baseman Wade Boggs of the Boston Red Sox with 159, first baseman Eddie Murray of the Baltimore Orioles with 130 and pitcher Donnie Moore of the Angels with 96.

Mattingly batted .324 with 35 home runs as the Yankees finished second in the AL East behind the Toronto Blue Jays. He led the major leagues with 48 doubles--the first AL player to do that in successive seasons since Tris Speaker did it four straight years, 1920-23. His 370 total bases and 86 extra-base hits also led the AL, and his .995 fielding percentage was the best in the league at his position.

His 211 hits, second best in the AL, made Mattingly the first Yankee to have consecutive 200-hit seasons since Joe DiMaggio in 1936-37, and the total was the highest for a Yankee since Red Rolfe had 213 in 1939.

Willie McGee of the St. Louis Cardinals was named the National League MVP earlier this week. Bret Saberhagen of Kansas City and Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets won the Cy Young Awards, which were announced last week.

Earlier, Whitey Herzog of St. Louis was chosen NL Manager of the Year, and Bobby Cox of Toronto was named AL Manager of the Year. The Rookie of the Year awards in each league will be announced next week.