St. Louis, MO -- (Sports Network) - St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was named the Sporting News' Player of the Year, as selected by a panel of 314 major league players.

Pujols batted .357 with 37 home runs and 116 runs batted in during the 2008 season, and did so while playing with a torn ligament in his right elbow.

This marks the second time Pujols has been selected as the top player by his peers, as he first captured the honor in 2003.