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Best player in baseball? Mike Trout, three years running. He hits for average, hits for power, steals bases, steals home runs from opposing batters, steals the spotlight on a team with Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton, inspires fans to wear silly fish-shaped hats.

On Thursday, the Angels’ dynamic outfielder finally won the trophy that makes his stature official. After two years as runner-up, Trout won his first American League most valuable player award.

Trout, 23, became the youngest unanimous winner of the award and third youngest to win it behind Vida Blue of the Oakland A’s and Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles. He’s the third Angels player to be selected MVP, joining Don Baylor (1979) and Vladimir Guerrero (2004).

RELATED: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Named NL MVP

Trout is the first player since Mickey Mantle in 1962 to win the award after two consecutive second-place finishes. Mantle trailed New York Yankees teammate Roger Maris in 1960 and 1961.

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