Shortstop Angel Berroa of the Kansas City Royals was elected the American League winner of
the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award by a narrow margin over left fielder Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees in balloting announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Berroa, 25, who batted .287 with 17 home runs and 73 runs batted in, received 12 first-place votes among the 28 ballots submitted by two writers from each league city to 10 for Matsui, 29, who
hit .287 with 16 home runs and 106 RBI. Berroa was second on seven ballots and third on seven for a total of 88 points to 84 for Matsui, who was second on eight ballots and third on seven.

The four-point difference is the closest since the 5-3-1 tabulation system was adopted in 1980, the year after the only tie in this election between Minnesota Twins third baseman John Castino and
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Alfredo Griffin. The previous voting system called for voters to list one player. Castino and Griffin each received seven votes in 1979.

The previous closest election in AL balloting since 1980 was the six-point differential in 1995 between Twins outfielder Marty Cordova and California Angels outfielder Garret Anderson, 105-99. There
was also a six-point differential in the National League election of 1982. Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Steve Sax won over Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Johnny Ray, 63-57.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays center fielder Rocco Baldelli (.289, 11 HR, 78 RBI, 27 SB) received five first-place votes and finished third with 51 points. The other first-place vote went to Texas Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira (.259, 26 HR, 84 RBI), who placed fifth behind Cleveland Indians outfielder Jody Gerut (.279, 22 HR, 75RBI).

The vote:

2003 AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year