As expected, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was announced today as the 2009 National League Most Valuable Player.

Pujols took all 32 first-place votes, becoming the sixth player in history to win the award by unanimous vote.

Brewers first-baseman Prince Fielder finished fourth in the voting despite putting up MVP-caliber numbers. Fielder hit .299 with 46 home runs and a franchise-record and league-leading 141 RBI. His homers were second only to Pujols and was also second with a 1.014 OPS, .602 slugging percentage and 356 total bases.

Fielder was the only player in baseball to play in all 162 games this season and probably saved the Brewers from an even more dismal season.

Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez came in second, followed by Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, who hit .279 with 45 home runs and 141 RBI (tying Fielder) for the National League Champions.