Hi there sports fans, just wanted to pay tribute to Evan Longoria, who was named the American League Rookie of the Year Monday, giving the Rays their first national Baseball Writers' Association of America honor.
Despite a drop off in his performances against the Phillies, without the power-hitting third-baseman the Rays probably wouldn't have been in the World Series at all.
"I would have loved to have played well in the World Series and to have helped the team, but it didn't happen that way," Longoria said. "But I don't think this award has anything to do with taking any distaste away from the fact we didn't win the World Series or that I didn't play well. It's more of a personal success for me."
Longoria, 23, was listed first on all 28 ballots and is the first unanimous AL rookie selection since Boston's Nomar Garciaparra in 1997. Voting took place before the postseason, during which Longoria hit six home runs and drove in 11 runs in the Division and AL Championship series. His 1-for-20 with two RBIs and nine strikeouts in the World Series were the only downsides to an excellent season.
During the regular season, the 2006 No. 3 overall pick batted .272 and led AL rookies in home runs (27), RBIs (85), total bases (238) and extra-base hits (60).
Longoria's award was the second major honor for the Rays in a week, following Carlos Pena's Gold Glove last Thursday. Rays fans are hoping that today Joe Maddon will be named the AL Manager of the Year.
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