First baseman Justin Morneau, whose clutch hitting helped the Minnesota Twins overcome a 12-game deficit in mid-July to go on and win the American League Central title, was elected Most Valuable Player in a tight race with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in balloting by the BBWAA. Morneau, who…
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, who got his major-league career off to a strong start by winning the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award in 2005, was honored in 2006 by being elected the National League Most Valuable Player in balloting by the BBWAA. Of the 32 ballots…
Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins was a unanimous choice for the American League Cy Young Award in balloting by the BBWAA. It marked the second time in the past three years that Santana has won this award by a unanimous vote. Santana was listed first on all 28 ballots…
Joe Girardi, who had a Florida Marlins team with a $12-million payroll and a roster loaded with rookies fighting for a wild-card berth in mid-September, was voted the National League Manager of the Year in balloting by the BBWAA. Girardi was named first on 18 of 32 ballots submitted by…
Jim Leyland, who directed the Detroit Tigers into post-season play for the first time in 19 years and ended a franchise-worst stretch of 12 losing seasons, was elected American League Manager of the Year in balloting by the BBWAA. Leyland, 61, was the only manager listed on all 28 ballots…
Arizona Diamondbacks righthander Brandon Webb, who tied for the league lead in victories and shutouts, won the National League Cy Young Award in balloting by the BBWAA. Of 32 ballots submitted by two writers in each league city, Webb was listed first on 15, second on seven and third on…
Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was elected the National League winner of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award by the BBWAA in a close vote over Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Ramirez, 21, who batted .292 with 46 doubles, 11 triples, 17 home runs, 59 RBI and…
Justin Verlander, who was among the league leaders in the major pitching categories, was named the American League winner of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award in voting by the BBWAA. Verlander, 21, was listed first on 26 of the 28 ballots submitted by two writers in each…
Bruce Sutter, who revolutionized the split-fingered fastball and was among the first of the closing relief pitcher specialists, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Jan. 10 by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in balloting verified by Ernst & Young. He will be inducted into the Hall…
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, who in his first four seasons in the major leagues finished second twice, third and fourth in National League Most Valuable Player voting, finally made it to the top with his victory in the 2005 election. Pujols, whose slugging helped the Cardinals to…
