TOKYO -- Former Cleveland Indians outfielder Alex Ramirez was voted most valuable player of Japan's Central League on Friday, becoming the first foreign player to win the annual award in seven seasons.
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Ramirez, who hit 45 homers for the Central League champion Yomiuri Giants this season, received 166 of 199 votes. Roberto Petagine of the Yakult Swallows was the last foreigner to win it in 2001.
Ramirez also drove in 125 runs and posted a .319 batting average in helping the Giants win their second straight Central League pennant.
Ramirez, who also played briefly for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000, has spent the last eight seasons in Japan, becoming one of the best clutch hitters in Japanese Professional Baseball.
The 33-year-old Venezuelan was a key free agent acquisition for the Giants, who lost to the Seibu Lions in seven games in the Japan Series.
Pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma of the Rakuten Eagles, the first 21-game winner in 23 years, took MVP honors in the Pacific League.
