Canadian wins AL MVP award

If you asked about the national origin of the American League MVP award, you might hear Dominican Republic (David Ortiz) or the United States (Derek Jeter).

But no, a Canadian took the award: Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins. Morneau led his team to a division-winning season with a .321 batting average, 34 homers and 130 RBI.

Morneau, a native of New Westminster, British Columbia, is the second Canadian-born player to win an MVP. Maple Ridge, British Columbia native Larry Walker won the award playing for Colorado in 1997. Walker coached Morneau at the World Baseball Classic in March, and even autographed a bat for him.

(You can read more about Morneau in the World Baseball Classic here and here.)

Amusingly, Morneau joins two other fellow Canadian-born athletes in winning an MVP in a major pro league this year, Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash and San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton.

It's great anytime Canadian sports prowess gets the respect it deserves.