For the third time in his three-year career, Mike Trout was arguably the best player in baseball. He now has the hardware to prove it.

Trout was unanimously awarded the American League MVP on Thursday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America after slugging a personal-best 36 homers and leading his Los Angeles Angels to their first division title in five years.

"It feels great," Trout said on MLB Network after the announcement. "Everybody’s out back. They were all cheering, I have the family here. It’s something special."

The Angels superstar received all 30 first-place votes after finishing runner-up to Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera two years in a row.

Trout's efforts this season wouldn't be denied.

The 23-year-old's all-around play helped him edge Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez and Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley.

Player 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Points Mike Trout 30 - - - - 420 Victor Martinez - 16 4 3 3 229 Michael Brantley - 8 6 5 4 191 Jose Abreu - 1 6 3 1 145 Robinson Cano - 1 1 6 5 124

Trout's historic first two years in the league intensified the debate between traditionalists and the sabermetric community over who should win the MVP award: him or Cabrera. This season, Trout did his damage the old fashioned way.

The Angels center fielder ranked third in the AL in homers, drove in an AL-leading 111 runs and posted the majors' third-highest slugging percentage, helping secure his club its first playoff appearance since 2009.

2014 Stats (AL rank) R HR RBI 2B 3B Mike Trout 115 (1st) 36 (t-3rd) 111 (1st) 39 (6th) 9 (2nd)

Though his AL-leading 184 strikeouts - and career-high 26.1 percent punch-out rate - exposed a hole in his bulletproof candidacy, advanced statistics once again proved Trout's place atop the pantheon of baseball greats.

The Angels phenom was worth more wins than any player for the third straight season, adding to a gaudy total that already positions him in elite company. Trout's WAR (29.1) through his age-22 season - determined by a player's age on June 30 - are second only to Ty Cobb, according to FanGraphs.

2014 Stats AVG OBP SLG wRC+ Mike Trout .287 .377 .561 167

Trout's exploits on the diamond included a .402 weighted on-base percentage and career-high .274 isolated power. For the third straight year, Trout created at least 67 percent more runs (FanGraphs' wRC+) than league average. His career wRC+ of 170 ranks seventh all-time.

The most impressive stat of them all: it was arguably Trout's worst season as a pro.

He produced the fewest WAR and recorded the lowest stolen base total, lowest batting average, and lowest on-base percentage of his career, while advanced defensive metrics ranked him the 15th-best center fielder in the majors, among qualified players. None of that stopped him from becoming the youngest player to ever win the award by unanimous vote.

Chicago White Sox rookie Jose Abreu and Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano also received consideration, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

Trout is the first player in franchise history to win the top honor since Vladimir Guerrero in 2004 and youngest in the majors to receive the award since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1983. It capped a stellar campaign that also saw Trout win the AL's Hank Aaron Award, the Players' Choice Award for Outstanding Player, All-Star Game MVP and a Silver Slugger.

Remarkable achievements for someone who began the season as the fourth-youngest player in the AL.