Major League Baseball Rookies Of The Year
Major League Baseball (MLB) is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most popular sports in the United States. Every year, new players enter the league and make their mark, but only a select few are deemed worthy of earning the title of Rookie of the Year. This award is given to the most outstanding rookie players in both the American and National Leagues.
What Is The Rookie Of The Year Award?
The Rookie of the Year award was first introduced in 1947 and has been given out every year since. The award is designed to recognize the most impressive rookie players in each league based on their performance throughout the season.
To be eligible for the award, a player must have less than 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in previous seasons. The player must also not have exceeded 45 days on the active roster of a Major League team, excluding time on the disabled list or any military service.
American League Rookies Of The Year
Since the introduction of the Rookie of the Year award, there have been many notable winners in the American League. Some of the most memorable include:
- Mike Trout (2012): Trout burst onto the scene in his rookie year, hitting .326 with 30 home runs and 83 RBIs. He also stole 49 bases and won a Gold Glove award.
- Derek Jeter (1996): Jeter helped lead the New York Yankees to a World Series championship in his rookie year, hitting .314 with 10 home runs and 78 RBIs.
- Ichiro Suzuki (2001): Suzuki became the first player from Japan to win the Rookie of the Year award, hitting .350 with 8 home runs, 69 RBIs, and 56 stolen bases.
- Mark McGwire (1987): McGwire hit 49 home runs in his rookie year, breaking the previous record of 38 set by Frank Robinson in 1956.
National League Rookies Of The Year
Just like in the American League, there have been many great Rookie of the Year winners in the National League. Some of the most notable include:
- Bryce Harper (2012): Harper hit .270 with 22 home runs and 59 RBIs in his rookie season, helping lead the Washington Nationals to their first playoff appearance.
- Ryan Howard (2005): Howard hit 22 home runs in just 88 games in his rookie year, earning him the NL Rookie of the Year award.
- Fernando Valenzuela (1981): Valenzuela was a sensation in his rookie year, going 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA and 180 strikeouts. He also won the Cy Young award that year.
- Mike Piazza (1993): Piazza hit .318 with 35 home runs and 112 RBIs in his rookie year, earning him the NL Rookie of the Year award.
Conclusion
The Rookie of the Year award is a prestigious honor in Major League Baseball and has been awarded to many great players over the years. From Mike Trout to Derek Jeter to Bryce Harper, each winner has left their own unique mark on the game of baseball. It will be exciting to see which rookies will emerge as the top contenders for the award in the upcoming seasons.