Ryan Braun most likely became a Milwaukee Brewer for life in 2011. And he backed up his club's faith in him by producing its first MVP season in 22 years.

Braun's overall brilliance in leading the Brewers' run to the Central Division title was rewarded Tuesday, when he was voted the National League's Most Valuable Player by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Braun, 28, received 20 of 32 first-place votes. His 388 total points bested Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, who received 10 first-place votes and 332 total points.

Braun's teammate, first baseman Prince Fielder, finished third with one first-place vote and 229 points. Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton (214) and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (166) rounded out the top five.

Braun finished second in the NL in batting, at .332, and produced 33 homers, 33 steals, 111 RBI and an NL-best .994 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS). Braun, who finished third in the 2008 MVP voting, became the first Brewer to win MVP since Robin Yount won his second AL award in 1989.

"The reason I won is because they put a better team around me," Braun said. "It's a result of 25 guys around you and putting you in that situation."

He was instrumental in helping the Brewers to their first division title since 1982, and cemented his future in Milwaukee even after his home-plate sparring partner's exit became inevitable.

The 2011 season began with the widely held assumption it would be Fielder's last in Milwaukee. The pending free agent confirmed as much toward the end of a year in which he hit .299 with 38 homers and 120 RBI.

"We still don't know if Prince is leaving or not," Braun said. "There's a possibility that he will come back. The majority of our team is coming back. ... But we are a much better team with Prince in the lineup."

In April, Braun provided further clarity on his future, signing a five-year, $105 million extension that ensures he'll be a Brewer through at least 2020. The agreement came amid a torrid first month for Braun, who hit .367 with 10 homers and 23 RBI before May 1.

Kemp made late runs at a Triple Crown and 40-homer, 40-steal season. While he fell short in both endeavors, his overall statistics were superb. He batted .324 with 39 homers and 126 RBI, both NL-best totals. He also stole 40 bases and produced a .399 on-base percentage and a .986 OPS. His 115 runs scored also led the NL, and he finished third in batting average and won a Gold Glove for his defensive play in center field.

He heartily endorsed Braun's victory, tweeting that they'd party together later, and said he'd shoot for a 50-50 season in 2012.

"I"m going to go 50-50," Kemp said on a conference call. "You all created a monster. Anything can happen. I'm going to set my limits high. Yes, I'm serious. I know you're thinking I'm crazy, but I'm going to take it to another level."

Kemp's statistics also came amid a fallow and injury-riddled Dodgers lineup. Fellow outfielder Andre Ethier produced a career-worst .789 OPS and was limited to 135 games by injuries.

Kemp realizes the Dodgers' 82-79 season didn't help his MVP chances.

"I respect the decision," Kemp said. "I just have to have an even better season next year and make the playoffs, so I can make the decision easier for them."

After the season, Kemp signed an eight-year, $160 million contract with the Dodgers. He had been eligible for free agency after the 2012 season.