A year after taking home National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2005, Missouri State baseball alumnus Ryan Howard brought home league MVP honors today at the conclusion of his second full season in the majors.

The first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies put together the most prolific offensive season in franchise history, clubbing 58 home runs and driving in 149, leading the majors in both categories. Those totals were also the highest in MLB history for a second-year player.

Howard received 20 first-place votes and 388 points to edge Albert Pujols, who garnered 12 first-place votes and a total of 347 points.

Howard played at Missouri State from 1999-01, finishing his career with 50 homers and 183 RBIs to go with a .335 batting average in 172 games.