(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-13 15:20

BOSTON - Boston Red Sox second-baseman Dustin Pedroia won the American League's "Rookie of the Year" honors on Monday, while Milwaukee Brewers third-baseman Ryan Braun took the title for the National League.

Pedroia, who at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 metres) tall was the shortest player on the Red Sox active roster at the end of the season, batted .317 and hit eight home runs, helping bring the Red Sox to their second World Series title in four years, over the Colorado Rockies.

Braun, 23, batted .324 and hit 34 home runs, though his team ended the year at second place in the National League's central division behind the Chicago Cubs.

Pedroia, 24, took the field in the World Series despite a broken bone in his left hand, compensating by changing his grip on the bat, the Boston Herald reported on Sunday.

The runners up in the American league were outfielder Delmon Young of the Tampa Bay Rays, followed by Kansas City Royals pitcher Brian Bannister.

Pedroia's team mate Daisuke Matsuzaka, a Japanese pitcher who crossed the Pacific to make his U.S. debut this year, came in fourth.

In the National League, Braun edged shortstop Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies.

Members of the Baseball Writers Association of America vote on the "Rookie of the Year" honors.