Tulo 5th in NL MVP voting

DENVER - The votes are in and Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is among the National League's elite.

While the Cardinals' Albert Pujols reigned supreme with a unanimous victory (448 points), Tulowitzki finished fifth in the NL Most Valuable Player voting (172), behind Marlins' shortstop Hanley Ramirez (233), Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard (217) and Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder (203).

Tulo got off to a slow start for his third consecutive season, hitting .226 with five homers when Jim Tracy took over the manager's office on May 29.

By season's end, Tulowitzki was hitting in the cleanup spot in the order, boasting a .297 average, with 32 bombs and 92 runs driven in. He also hit for the cycle and despite getting snubbed again for the Gold Glove award he was the best defensive shortstop in the National League, committing only nine errors and fielding more chances than any other NL shortstop.

The Rockies shortstop told our partners at the Denver Post it was an honor to place so high in the voting, but gave credit to his teammates and coaches.

"Individual awards are great, don't get me wrong. But winning a World Series is why I play the game," he told Troy E. Renck of the Post.

Todd Helton finished 13th in the voting, Huston Street was 25th and Brad Hawpe finished 30th.

Tracy won the NL Manager of the Year award last week.