The National League featured a strong class of rookies in 2009, and although Florida left fielder Chris Coghlan didn't get called up until May 8, he impressed enough to win the Rookie of the Year award from the Baseball Writers' Association of America.Coghlan wasn't named on seven of the 32 ballots (which included three players each) but had 17 first-place votes to 10 for Philadelphia left-hander J.A. Happ.
Atlanta right-hander Tommy Hanson was third in the voting, with Pittsburgh center fielder Andrew McCutchen fourth.
Upon his promotion to the majors, Coghlan was inserted as the Marlins' left fielder, and three weeks later he became the team's leadoff man -- two roles he had never been asked to do. But it never stopped him from hitting, and Florida went 67-54 in his starts.
| How They Voted |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voting for 2009 NL Rookie of the Year (5 points for a first-place vote, 3 for second, 1 for third): | ||||
| Player, Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pts |
| Coghlan, Marlins |
17 |
6 |
2 |
105 |
| Happ, Phillies |
10 |
11 |
11 |
94 |
| Hanson, Braves |
2 |
6 |
9 |
37 |
| McCutchen, Pirates |
2 |
5 |
|
25 |
| McGehee, Brewers |
1 |
3 |
4 |
18 |
| Wells, Cubs |
|
1 |
|
3 |
| G.Jones, Pirates |
|
|
2 |
2 |
| E.Cabrera, Padres |
|
|
1 |
1 |
| Fowler, Rockies |
|
|
1 |
1 |
| G.Parra, D-Backs |
|
|
1 |
1 |
| Rasmus, Cardinals |
|
|
1 |
1 |
"You label certain guys as 'baseball players.' And he's one of those guys. And if next spring training you said, 'Hey we need you to maybe catch,' he'd say, 'OK, let's go.' "
Coghlan, 24, batted .321 -- best by a rookie since Albert Pujols in 2001. And Coghlan had 113 hits after the All-Star break, easily the most in the majors (Derek Jeter has 102) and most by anyone since 2004.
He led the majors in hits in September with 47, most by a rookie in September since 1928. He also had the most August hits by a rookie (47) since 1954. And no NL player had 94 hits over a two-month span since Dave Parker in 1978.
Coghlan led NL rookies in runs (84), total bases (232), doubles (31) and on-base percentage (.390).
Happ went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA and two shutouts in 35 games (23) starts for the Phillies. He tied for third in the NL with three complete games.
In 21 starts for the Braves, Hanson was 11-4 with a 2.98 ERA and .225 average allowed.
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McCutchen hit .286 with 12 homers, 54 RBI, 74 runs scored and a .471 slugging percentage after being called up when the Pirates traded Nate McLouth to the Braves in early June.
In all, 11 rookies earned at least one point in the 5-3-1 voting system.
Coghlan is the third Florida player to be named Rookie of the Year, after Dontrelle Willis in 2003 and Hanley Ramirez in 2006.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hanson deserved this, he's a future Cy Young winner. His numbers were far more dominant than Happs' and this is another lame choice. Porcello deserved the A.L. rookie of the year. Oh well... the awards are all a joke. Jeter got another gold glove(that should tell you everything.)
Ur an idiot! Hanson was lucky to finish third in the voting. Happ had comparable numbers and was on a far superior team u moron!
WHAT A BUNCH OF IDIOTS. HAPP WAS FAR SUPIRIOR AND DESERVED TO BE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.
should of been happ. not even close. this is coming from a mets fan!!!
LOL @ the ignorant comments. You obviously didn't watch this guy play, and look at his stats! I feel pitchers shouldn't get ROY, because they only play every five games! There should be a separate award for that. Cogs busted his ass day in and day out! The numbers don't lie. Plus, his natural position is 2nd base, and he played left field, and did a helluva job! Yes, he TOTALLY deserves the award! Congrats, Chris!
Happ should have been rookie of the year, and should have started a World Series game instead of Pedro, or even Hamels. Manuels let his heart run away with his brain !!!!