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Sports Illustrated names Derek Jeter as its Sportsman of the Year

ByThis Day in Baseball

Sports Illustrated names Derek Jeter as its Sportsman of the Year, making the ‘Captain’ the first Yankee honored by the magazine. The other baseball recipients to win the award, given annually since SI’s inception in 1954, include Johnny Podres (Dodgers – 1955), Stan Musial (Cardinals – 1957), Sandy Koufax (Dodgers – 1965), Tom Seaver (Mets – 1969), Pete Rose (Reds – 1975), Orel Hershiser (Dodgers – 1988), Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles – 1995), Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa (Cardinals, Cubs – 1998), Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling (Diamondbacks – 2001), and the entire Red Sox team (2004).

The Toronto Blue Jays sign free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a contract. Gonzalez started the last season with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Boston Red Sox where he took over for Nick Green.

ByTom

The Toronto Blue Jays sign free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a contract. Gonzalez started the last season with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to the Boston Red Sox where he took over for Nick Green.

New York Yankees Public Address announcer Bob Sheppard officially retires at the age of 99
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New York Yankees Public Address announcer Bob Sheppard officially retires at the age of 99

ByTom

New York Yankees Public Address announcer Bob Sheppard officially retires at the age of 99. Known as the “Voice of God,” Sheppard had been the Yankees PA announcer from 1951 to 2007 before his deteriorating health forced him to step down. He briefly returned in 2008 to announce the Yankees lineup for the final game at the old Yankee Stadium.

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is the unanimous choice as winner of the National League MVP Award

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is the unanimous choice as winner of the National League MVP Award

ByTom

2009 – Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is the unanimous choice as winner of the National League MVP Award. It is the third time Pujols wins this honor, having done so previously in 2005 and 2008.

Joe Mauer becomes the fifth Twin to be named the American League’s Most Valuable Player

ByTom

Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) becomes the fifth Twin to be named the American League’s Most Valuable Player, joining Zoilo Versalles (1965), Harmon Killebrew (1969), Rod Carew (1977), and Justin Morneau (2006). The slugging Gold Glove catcher, who missed the first month of the season with a back injury, receives 27 of 28 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA, and the St. Paul native easily outpoints Yankee teammates Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter.

Responding to the fans’ ire that little was done to commemorate the team’s past at Citi Field, the Mets announce the entrances now will be named for the persons who have had their number retired by the franchise, Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver, and Casey Stengel as well as naming the outfield bridge in honor of William Shea. Additionally, the venue will feature a team Hall of Fame and Museum, a display of full-color banners of Mets players in front of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, and the light poles in the parking lots will feature team logos.

ByTom

Responding to the fans’ ire that little was done to commemorate the team’s past at Citi Field, the Mets announce the entrances now will be named for the persons who have had their number retired by the franchise, Gil Hodges, Tom Seaver, and Casey Stengel as well as naming the outfield bridge in honor of William Shea. Additionally, the venue will feature a team Hall of Fame and Museum, a display of full-color banners of Mets players in front of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, and the light poles in the parking lots will feature team logos.

Tim Lincecum becomes the eighth hurler in baseball history, joining Sandy Koufax, Denny McLain, Jim Palmer, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson, to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards. The Giants right-hander, receiving fewer first-place votes than the third runner-up Adam Wainwright, outpoints the Cardinals righty as well as runner-up Chris Carpenter, also a Redbird starter.

ByBaseball

Tim Lincecum becomes the eighth hurler in baseball history, joining Sandy Koufax, Denny McLain, Jim Palmer, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson, to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards. The Giants right-hander, receiving fewer first-place votes than the third runner-up Adam Wainwright, outpoints the Cardinals righty as well as runner-up Chris Carpenter, also a Redbird starter.

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award in one of the closest races in the award’s history. Lincecum gets 100 points in the voting, Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals 94 and Carpenter’s teammate Adam Wainwright collects the most first-place votes but finishes third with 90 points.

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award in one of the closest races in the award’s history. Lincecum gets 100 points in the voting, Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals 94 and Carpenter’s teammate Adam Wainwright collects the most first-place votes but finishes third with 90 points.

ByBaseball

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award in one of the closest races in the award’s history. Lincecum gets 100 points in the voting, Chris Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals 94 and Carpenter’s teammate Adam Wainwright collects the most first-place votes but finishes third with 90 points.

Mike Scioscia, who piloted the Angels to its third consecutive division title and sixth postseason appearance in the last eight year and guided Los Angeles past a myriad of injuries to key players, is named the AL Manager of the Year for the second time. The 50 year-old Angels skipper helped to ease the team’s deep sorrow caused by the sudden death of 22 year-old starter Nick Adenhart, who died in a hit-and-run car accident just hours after pitching six shutout innings against Oakland for the Halos.

ByBaseball

Mike Scioscia, who piloted the Angels to its third consecutive division title and sixth postseason appearance in the last eight year and guided Los Angeles past a myriad of injuries to key players, is named the AL Manager of the Year for the second time. The 50 year-old Angels skipper helped to ease the team’s deep sorrow caused by the sudden death of 22 year-old starter Nick Adenhart, who died in a hit-and-run car accident just hours after pitching six shutout innings against Oakland for the Halos.

Jim Tracy is named the National League Manager of the Year, becoming just the second person to cop the honor after taking over a team during the season, joining Jack McKeon who also accomplished the feat with the 2003 Marlins. The 53 year-old skipper, who piloted the Rockies to the NL Wild Card from a 14.5 game deficit at the end of May, is rewarded by Colorado with a three-year contract.

ByBaseball

Jim Tracy is named the National League Manager of the Year, becoming just the second person to cop the honor after taking over a team during the season, joining Jack McKeon who also accomplished the feat with the 2003 Marlins. The 53 year-old skipper, who piloted the Rockies to the NL Wild Card from a 14.5 game deficit at the end of May, is rewarded by Colorado with a three-year contract.