News
Papelbon, Bard highlight Sox awards
Green joins pair as winners of club honors this season
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
11/23/09 3:13 PM EST
BOSTON -- Not long after Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay finished sixth and seventh respectively in the race for the American League's Most Valuable Player Award on Monday, the Red Sox announced some team awards as voted on by the Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon was named the 2009 Red Sox Fireman of the Year. For the fourth time in his four seasons, Papelbon was named to the All-Star team. The hard-throwing righty posted 38 saves and notched a 1.85 ERA. Papelbon is Boston's all-time save leader with 151.
Daniel Bard, who became a mainstay in the bullpen for manager Terry Francona in short order, was selected as the club's Rookie of the Year. Bard, backed by a fastball that reached 100-mph fastball several times, registered 63 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings. He held opponents to a .228 average. The right-hander placed sixth among qualifying AL relievers with 11.49 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
Nick Green, who went from non-roster invitee to starting shortstop for the first four months of the season, was given the Jackie Jensen Award for spirit and determination. Green, who hit a walk-off homer on Father's Day against the Atlanta Braves, is now a free agent.
Those three awards -- and several others -- will be presented at the 71st Boston BBWAA Dinner on Jan. 14, 2010, at the Westin Waterfront Hotel in South Boston. Tickets are still available.
As for Youkilis and Bay, they both had impressive seasons for the 95-win Red Sox. After Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia captured the 2008 MVP, Joe Mauer of the Twins took it home this year. Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera and Kendry Morales rounded out the top five in balloting.
Youkilis hit .305 with 27 homers and 94 RBIs, to go along with a career-high on-base percentage of .413. Bay belted 36 homers and drove in 119 runs. The left fielder is a free agent, but the Red Sox hope to re-sign him.
As well as honoring the Red Sox's award winners, the Boston Awards Dinner will have some national award presentations. Colorado's Jim Tracy will be presented with the National League Manager of the Year and Mauer will take home the Ted Williams Award as baseball's leading hitter.
Tickets can be purchased by making checks payable to Boston Chapter BBWAA and mailing to: Boston Chapter-BBWAA, P.O. Box 7346, Nashua, NH, 03060. For orders postmarked on November 30 or earlier, the price per ticket is $135. For those postmarked later, the price will be $150 each. Proceeds from the event will help the Chapter to continue supporting charitable causes.
For more information on the 2010 Boston BBWAA Awards Dinner, call (603) 594-6427 or send e-mails to agreenwood@nashuatelegraph.com.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
