ST. LOUIS — Cardinals first baseman and presumptive National League MVP Albert Pujols continued his annual award haul Thursday morning with the announcement that he’s the Players Choice winner as the NL’s Outstanding Player. The award is voted on by the players to serve as the union’s equivalent of the MVP award.

The result of the players’ vote was announced this morning on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning, the show that has been picked by the players’ union to exclusively announce the awards each morning. Pujols joined the hosts live, and he talked about receiving the award for a second consecutive year.

“I just thank God for giving me this ability and being able to play this game. You just go out there … and play to stay healthy,” Pujols told the radio show. “It’s an honor and really a humble award to receive it from your peers. With so many players who had a great year last year … obviously it’s really humbling to receive this award.”

Pujols led the National League in home runs with 47, and he also his ninth consecutive season of at least a .300 average, at least 30 home runs and at least 100 RBIs. He led the Cardinals with a .327 average and 135 RBIs. He also led the NL with 124 runs scored, the fourth time in his career that he’s led the league. He also concluded his Decade Triple Crown, leading the NL in batting average and home runs and RBIs from 2000 through 2009, though he didn’t debut until 2001.

On Friday, the Player Choice Player of the Year award will also be announced. Pujols and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer are two of the nominees for that award. Pujols won it last year as well. Mauer won the AL Outstanding Player award.

Pujols is the third Cardinal to win one of the awards voted on by MLBPA members.

Earlier this week, Chris Carpenter won the Comeback Player of the Year award and Adam Wainwright took the NL Outstanding Pitcher award. This is the third time in his career that Pujols has won the player vote for Outstanding Player in his league.

Pujols spoke on a variety of topics with Mike and Mike, though he was not asked about the elbow surgery he had last week.

On the Cardinals’ exit from the playoffs: “We had a great year, obviously didn’t go the way we wanted it to toward the end,” Pujols said. “That’s the way it goes. We didn’t get hot at the right time. LA played better than we did. … I think we’re still going to have a great ballclub next year and we’re going to try to get back in the playoffs.”

On Tony La Russa returning as manager: “Tony, he’s our leader for our ballclub. Since I’ve been here since 2001, he’s our leader. He does so many things. He prepares us for the game … starting in spring training. I think a lot of poeple want to blame him for it, but we are the players, we are the ones who should be blamed. We are the ones who have to make our adjustments, we get paid to play. I’m excited to have him back.”

On Mark McGwire joining the team as hitting coach: “It’s awesome. Having him back in the Cardinal uniform as the hitting coach. We have one of the best coaching staffs in the league. … Pretty much, to teach some of us the experience from his great career. He wasn’t just a home-run hitter. He had a good idea of what he wanted to do at the plate. He taught me so much about concentration, about looking for a pitch, and I needed that as a rookie. I’m looking forward to working with him in spring. I can pick his brain. He can pick my brain. … I’m looking forward to see what he brings to the table with us.”

Each winner of a Players Choice award is given a cash prize that is to be donated to a charity of the player’s selection. Pujols said on the radio show that he had not yet decided where he would donate the money.

The NL MVP award will be announced Nov. 24.

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