Rodriguez Wins AL MVP

Alex Rodriguez is headed back to the Yankees as the American League's Most Valuable Player.

A-Rod won his third AL MVP award yesterday, easily defeating Detroit's Magglio Ordonez after compiling an astounding season at the plate. Rodriguez received 26 first-place votes and 382 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, while Ordonez had two firsts and 258 points.

Rodriguez won his first MVP in 2003, his last season with the Texas Rangers. He also won with the Yankees in 2005 — but he's never played in a World Series.

"There's definitely a huge hole in the resume," he said. "It's my third MVP and I'm here to say that I would trade all three for one world championship. I wouldn't think twice about it."

He's spoken with quarterback John Elway about the need for a title to validate a career.

"Definitely the exclamation point in his career was the two championships at the end, and I have tremendous faith that I will be a world champion," Rodriguez said. "What better place to do it than in New York?"

* * *

RIVERA TO RETURN Mariano Rivera is keeping his pinstripes, staying with the only major league team he's ever pitched for.

The closer, perhaps the biggest key to the Yankees' run of World Series titles in the late 1990s, told the team he is accepting their $45 million, three-year offer.

Rivera, who turns 38 on November 29, gets an average salary more than $4 million above what any other reliever currently makes.

Rivera's agreement is pending a physical. The Yankees also have a preliminary agreement on a $52.4 million, four-year contract with catcher Jorge Posada and are trying to finish off a record-setting $275 million, 10-year deal with Alex Rodriguez.

"We've got everybody back," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said. "It's good to have both Jorgie and him back."