Jeffrey BoanMost Valuable Player
National League:
58 home runs and 149 runs batted in was enough to give Ryan Howard his first Most Valuable Player Award. Howard, who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies beat out Albert Pujols, last years MVP by 41 votes. Last year, Howard was named National League Rookie of the Year. This is the second time in Major League Baseball history that a player has been awarded Rookie of the Year and MVP in consecutive seasons. Cal Ripken was the only other player to receive this honor.
American League:
Minnesota Twins’ first baseman Justin Mourneau beat New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in the 10th-closest American League Most Valuable Player Award in history. This is the first MVP award for Mourneau, who won by a score of 320-306. Mourneau had a batting average of .321 with 34 home runs and 130 runs batted in. Mourneau’s strong play helped produce one of the best offensive seasons in team history.
Cy Young Award
National League:
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb became the 2006 Cy Young Award winner. The Cy Young award is given to the best pitcher in each league. While Webb led the National League with 16 wins, this marks the lowest win total for a starting pitcher to win the Cy Young in a full season. Webb also set career highs with 235 innings pitched and 178 strikeouts.
American League:
Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana captured his second American League Cy Young award. Santana led the league with 19 wins, 245 strikeouts and an earned run average of 2.77. Santana has become the 14th pitcher in Major League history to win at least two Cy Young Awards.
Rookie of the Year
National League:
22-year-old Hanley Ramirez won the National League’s Rookie of the Year Award. The Florida Marlins shortstop is the first rookie to ever score 110-plus runs and steal over 50 bases in a single season. Ramirez also hit 17-plus home runs while playing in only 100 games for the Marlins.
American League:
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander became the first starting pitcher since 1981 to win the American League Rookie of the Year. Verlander helped the Tigers reach the World Series, and was given the chance to pitch during the final game. The Tigers did not win the championship, but Verlander’s 17 wins helped him secure the Rookie of the Year Award.
Manager of the Year
National League:
Despite being fired from the Florida Marlins in Oct., Joe Girardi was given the National League’s Manager of the Year Award. Girardi coached the youngest and cheapest team in the Major Leagues and guided them to a season of 78-wins and 84-losses. Girardi also kept the team, which many predicted to have 100-plus losses, in playoff contention until mid-September.
American League:
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland was given the American League Manager of the Year Award. The Tigers had a record of 95-wins and 67-losses, improving by 24 wins from the previous season. Leyland also led the team to the World Series, their first playoff birth since 1987.
