1986 – Oakland Athletics outfielder Jose Canseco wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award, becoming the first Athletics player to do so since pitcher Harry Byrd in 1952.
1985 – Chicago White Sox shortstop Ozzie Guillen, who hit .273 with just 12 errors in 150 games, is named American League Rookie of the Year. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Teddy Higuera, who posted a 15-8 record and a 3.90 ERA, finishes second in the voting.
Seattle Mariners first baseman Alvin Davis, who hit .284 with 27 home runs and 116 RBI, wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Teammate pitcher Mark Langston and Minnesota Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett are the runner-ups.
On November 24, 1982, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles wins the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award. Ripken hit .264 with 28 home runs and 93 RBI’s while splitting his time between shortstop and third base for the Orioles. His consecutive games played streak is in its infancy at 118 games.
The American League Rookie of the Year Award balloting ends in a tie with Twins third baseman John Castino and Blue Jays shortstop Alfredo Griffin each receiving seven of the 28 votes cast by the writers. The deadlock will prompt a change in the method used for next season’s selection.
Detroit Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award with 21 of 28 first-place votes over Paul Molitor of the Milwaukee Brewers. Whitaker will be the youngest AL Rookie of the Year until Mike Trout passes him in 2012.
1977 – Baltimore Orioles first baseman Eddie Murray is named American League Rookie of the Year. Murray garners 12 1/2 points to beat out runner-up Mitchell Page of the Oakland Athletics, who polled 9 1/2 votes. Murray will go on to a Hall of Fame career, while Page will never come close to matching his rookie numbers.
1975 – Fred Lynn of the Boston Red Sox is the overwhelming choice as American League Rookie of the Year. Lynn, who helped the Red Sox to the AL championship, made the All-Star team, hit .331 with 21 home runs and 105 RBI, and led the league in runs (103), doubles (47), slugging percentage (.566) and OPS (.967). A Gold Glove winner as well, he will become the first rookie to win the Most Valuable Player Award later this off-season.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Al Bumbry beats out five other vote-getters to win American League Rookie of the Year honors. Bumbry played just 110 games, but tied for the AL lead in triples (11) and batted .337.
On November 21, 1972, Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk wins the first unanimous AL Rookie of the Year. Fisk batted .293 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs for Boston. The 24 year-old Red Sox All-Star backstop will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
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