Braun, Pedroia Earn Top Rookie Honors
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Dustin Pedroia won in a runaway, just like his Red Sox in the World Series.
The little Boston second baseman with the big swing was an easy pick for AL Rookie of the Year, while Ryan Braun barely edged Troy Tulowitzki for the NL honor yesterday.
Generously listed at 5 feet, 9 inches, Pedroia became a fan favorite at Fenway Park with his allout style. Plus, few knew he played with a broken bone in his left wrist down the stretch.
“Everyone doubted me at every level I’ve been to, saying I’m too small, I’m not fast enough, my arm’s not strong enough,” Pedroia said. “There’s a lot of people that have stuck by me and knew deep down in, that there’s something about me that makes me a winning baseball player.”
Pedroia hit .317 with eight home runs and 50 RBIs. He got 24 of the 28 first-place votes to outdistance Tampa Bay outfielder Delmon Young in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Braun’s brawn earned him the NL award. The slugging third baseman from Milwaukee finished two points ahead of Tulowitzki, Colorado’s sparkplug shortstop.
Braun said he had trouble sleeping Sunday night, then woke up early at his condo in Santa Monica, Calif., and went for a jog to ease his “nervous energy.”
“I had no idea what the vote would be based on,” he said. “I knew that it would be a close vote.”
Braun received 17 of 32 first-place votes and finished with 128 points. Tulowitzki got 15 firstplace votes and 126 points.