It took 26 years, but Chicago White Sox have an American League MVP playing for them again.
The MLB announced on Thursday that White Sox’ slugger Jose Abreu won the 2020 AL MVP Award. Abreau, who is the first White Sox player since 1994 and Frank Thomas to receive the honor, finished at the top of the voting with 374 points and 21 first-place votes.
Abreu batted .317 and had 19 home runs in the shortened MLB season. He led the AL with 76 hits while boosting MLB-high 60 RBIs and 148 total bases. This electric play by the 33-year-old propelled the White Sox to their first playoff appearance in 12 years.
“That was a very special moment,” said Abreau after the news was confirmed.
Jose Abreu spent his entire career with the White Sox, making his MLB debut in 2014. He has three All-Star appearances and three Silver Slugger Awards.
Cleveland Indians’ Jose Ramirez, who finished the regular season with a .292 batting average, 17 home runs, and 46 RBIs, came second in AL MVP voting behind Abreu. Ramirez received eight first-place votes and had 303 points.
The top three is rounded with NY Yankees’ DJ LeMahieu, who had 230 points and received the remaining first-place vote. LeMahieu batted MLB-leading .364 in 2020 while adding 10 homers and 27 RBIs.
