A's shortstop Miguel Tejada wins in a landslide!

"He had a monster year. I've been thinking the whole way that he's (A-Rod) going to win the MVP," said Miguel Tejada.

Written by Ozzie Gonzalez, Latinosportslegends.com

November 12, 2002 -- The 26 year old shortstop of the Oakland A's, Miguel Tejada, won by a landslide over Rangers' shortstop Alex Rodriguez to win the American League Most Valuable Player award on Tuesday.

Tejada, a native of the Dominican Republic, received 356 points, including 21 of a possible 28 first-place votes from members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Rodriguez placed second with five first-place votes and 254 points.

Yankees second baseman Alfonso Soriano finished third with two first-place votes and 234 points.

Rodriguez who was thought to be the favorite in this year's voting, fell short once again for the third consecutive year.

Offensively, Rodriguez had a better year, but Tejada contributed more to the A's and took the them to the post-season. The A's rolled off 20 wins in a row during this past season with the help of Tejada. During that streak, Tejada had three game-winning hits. He batted .366 during the streak with 18 RBIs, despite only three home runs.

During that stretch, the A's leapfrogged both Anaheim and Seattle and led the division the rest of the season.

Rodriguez led the majors in home runs (57) and RBIs (142), but the Rangers had a losing record for the entire season and finished with the league's fifth-worst record at 72-90.

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