Local BBWAA names top Rockies for 2009
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the Rockies 2009 Player of the Year in voting by members of the Colorado Chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Other winners in the annual Rockies awards voting, which was announced Thursday, were Ubaldo Jimenez, Pitcher of the Year and center fielder Dexter Fowler, Rookie of the Year. Closer Huston Street was the winner of the Good Guy Award for his professionalism and cooperation with the media. Street, who converted 35 of 37 save opportunities during the regular season, was never more accessible than after suffering a blown save and a loss in the final game of the Division Series against the Phillies, when he patiently remained at his locker for well over an hour and answered every question that was asked.
Tulowitzki rebounded from another poor April to hit .297 with 32 home runs, 92 RBI and 101 runs scored. He led the team in the latter three categories. Jimenez went 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA. the lowest in franchise history for a starting pitcher. Fowler hit .266 with 29 doubles, four homers, 34 RBI and 27 stolen bases.
I think these are the results to be expected…and I love Ubaldo and what he brings and what he should become. But there could have been a case for Jorge De La Rosa with his strong streak…I always laugh with my daughter when we go a game and DLR is scheduled to start and I say to her “I hope we get GOOD JORGE today and not EVIL JORGE”…
I think Ubaldo is a horse too, just like Jim Tracy does. Ubaldo will be a stud this season.
Jack,
Can you tell us more about the process? How many members are there in the Colorado chapter? Are they the same folks who vote on all the major national awards?
Jeff,
The Colorado chapter of the BBWAA lost members with the demise of the Rocky Mountain News. There are currently six members from the Post, three from the AP, Tracy Ringolsby with FoxSports.com and myself, now an Honorary Lifetime member as the result of covering baseball since 1981 and being a longtime BBWAA member.
Unfortunately, the BBWAA has not opened the doors to the organization for those employed at MLB.com. So Thomas Harding, who is eminently qualified to vote on these awards and who faces the same issues covering the team as someone from the Post and AP do and the News did, isn’t a voter on either the local or national awards.
I have polled members for the Rockies awards in the past, but the duties should be done by someone from a paper and fell to Troy Renck of the Post this year. The vote is done by e-mail.
Each of the BBWAA national awards are voted upon by two members from every city in the AL and NL. The AP does not allow its employees to vote on such awards and that is the case for an increasing number of papers.
Great information Jack and well informed and thoughtful feedback from the Colorado Rockies fans. It’s Trenidad Hubbard and I will stay tuned. I’ve always liked your style of reporting.
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