ARLINGTON, Texas (Reuters) - Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds each received the Hank Aaron Award on Sunday as Major League Baseball's most outstanding offensive performers.
Bautista, who led the majors with 54 home runs and also drove in 124 runs, was the American League recipient of the award, whose previous winners include New York Yankees Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.
The 30-year-old Dominican, a 20th-round selection in the 2000 draft, finished strong in 2010 by hitting 11 home runs from September 1 to the end of the season on October 3.
Bautista said his breakout season was the product of some adjustments he had made.
"I became more aggressive, and I also kind of tweaked the way I prepare myself," said Bautista. "I start my swing ... earlier, on the pitcher's delivery, and that allowed me to attack the baseball more."
Votto, 27, batted .324 with 37 home runs and 113 RBI in 2010, leading the Reds to the National League Central crown.
The Toronto native's .424 on-base percentage led Major League Baseball and his .600 slugging percentage was the top mark in the National League.
"This is the first award that I've won in my career, and you know, if it's the last one, what a great honor," said Votto, the award's National League recipient.
(Reporting by Larry Fine, Editing by Frank Pingue)
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