Ryan Braun wins the N.L. MVP Award

Ryan Braun has been named the National League Most Valuable Player for 2011.

Braun had 20 first place votes and 388 total points, comfortably beating out Matt Kemp (who I think was most deserving).  Kemp had 332 points and 10 first place votes.

The other two first place votes went to Prince Fielder, who finished third, and Justin Upton, who finished fourth.

Carlos Ruiz, who had a 754 OPS in 472 plate appearances as the Phillies' catcher, got a 10th place vote.  So did Starlin Castro, who had a 773 OPS while not doing a good job in the field at shortstop.