Votto runs away with NL MVP

Joey Votto and Albert Pujols had a long conversation behind the batting cage before a game a few years ago.

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“There’s something about a star player of that magnitude kind of pulling you in and saying, ‘It’s OK, we can talk, don’t be a rookie right now, we’re going to talk like men,’ ’’ Votto said. “I think he made me feel comfortable and a little more confident.’’

Lesson learned.

Votto was overwhelmingly elected the National League’s Most Valuable Player yesterday, ending Pujols’s two-year reign.

A first baseman who helped the Reds reach the postseason for the first time in 15 years, Votto received 31 of 32 first-place votes and 443 points in voting announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Pujols, the St. Louis Cardinals’ first baseman, was second with the remaining first-place vote, from Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and 279 points after winning the award in 2005, 2008, and 2009.

“I tried to keep my head down for almost a year there, and it was nice to speak to somebody who’s been there and done that when it comes to everything,’’ Votto said. “For him to give me time of the day and to talk about defensive stuff and ways to improve my game was very generous of him, and he certainly didn’t have to do that.’’

Votto was a first-time All-Star, finishing second in the NL in batting average at .324 and third in homers (37) and RBIs (113). He led the NL in slugging percentage (.600), topped the major leagues in on-base percentage (.424), and had 16 stolen bases in 21 chances.

Pujols batted .312 and led the NL in homers (42) and RBIs (118).

“After the season, when I looked at my numbers and at Albert’s numbers, I thought: ‘Holy cow! He’s beaten me in a lot of them,’ ’’ Votto said.

The NL Central standings probably were the difference.

“Most importantly, we won,’’ Votto said.

Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez was third with 240 points after winning the NL batting title with a .336 average. San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez (197) was fourth, followed by Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki (132).

The AL winner will be announced today. Josh Hamilton of Texas is the front-runner.

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