Baseball's Festival of Awards begins this week with the AL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and Manager of the Year all being announced over the next three days.
Here's what that has traditionally meant in Texas: Absolutely nothing.
Here's what it is probably going to mean this year: Elvis Andrus was robbed.
While Rangers have won five MVP Awards since the club moved to Texas in 1972, awards on the other three fronts have been scarce. The Rangers have never had a Cy Young winner (given this team's pitching history, that kind of figures). They've had one Rookie of the Year, Mike Hargrove in 1974, and have gone longer than any other franchise in baseball without winning the award. They have won two Manager of the Year trophies, though Johnny Oates had to share his with Joe Torre in 1996; Buck Showalter didn't have to share in 2004.
This is not what you would call a hallowed hall of accomplishments.
And despite a very worthy candidate for Rookie of the Year, it won't be surprising if Andrus is passed over for Detroit starter Rick Porcello (14-9, 3.69 ERA), who is younger and was more heralded coming into the season. Or Oakland reliever Andrew Bailey, who had more impressive statistics (26 saves, 1.84 ERA). Or even Chicago shortstop Gordon Beckham, who has this going for him: He's not a Ranger.
No rookie, however, improved his team more than Andrus did the Rangers.
The biggest reason the Rangers improved by eight wins over 2008 was competent pitching and solid defense. The pitchers were, by and large, the same group from 2008. The defense is where the club improved the most, thereby also improving the pitching results. And the arrival of Andrus is the biggest reason the defense was better. Andrus' arrival and Michael Young's shift to third helped shore up the infield. The Rangers allowed 200 fewer hits and 200 fewer runs.
Andrus' range, athleticism and arm allowed the Rangers to get to more balls. His uncommon refinement as a player allowed him to make more plays. Over the last 25 years, six rookie shortstops have handled more total chances than the 690 Andrus handled and had a higher fielding percentage than Andrus' .968. Five – Walt Weiss (1988), Derek Jeter (1996), Nomar Garciaparra (1997), Angel Berroa (2003), Bobby Crosby (2004) – won the Rookie of the Year. Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki (2007) finished second. To Ryan Braun.
"Winning this thing would be a tremendous honor for him, and one he deserves," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "In my opinion, no rookie had a greater impact on his team than Elvis did. So much of why we were able to stay in the race was pitching and defense. What started that was Elvis as much as anybody."
Where Andrus comes up short, compared with most of the winners, is at the plate. Only Crosby (.239) had a lower batting average than Andrus (.267). Only Milwaukee's Pat Listach (.701 in 1992) had a lower on-base-plus-slugging-percentage than Andrus (.702). Nevertheless, Andrus significantly improved as a hitter in the second half. That's the time many rookies struggle to make adjustments to scouting reports and when they often wilt under the pressure of the longest season of their lives.
Andrus' fielding abilities made him the rookie who made the biggest contribution to a team. Defense, however, doesn't win awards; only championships.
The Rangers and Andrus will sacrifice the Rookie of the Year for one of those championships down the road.
Monday – AL, NL Rookie of the Year
Tuesday – AL Cy Young
Wednesday – AL, NL Manager of the Year
Thursday – NL Cy Young
Nov. 23 – AL MVP
Nov. 24 – NL MVP
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| Pitcher, team | G | W-L | Sv/Opp | ERA | IP | W | K |
| Andrew Bailey, Oak. | 68 | 6-3 | 26/30 | 1.84 | 83.1 | 24 | 91 |
| Pros: Clearly had the best statistical season among rookies. Cons: Both Andrus and Rick Porcello had key contributions in playoff races. |
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| Jeff Nieman, TB | 31 | 13-6 | 0/0 | 3.94 | 180.2 | 59 | 125 |
| Pros: More innings, strikeouts and lower ERA than Rick Porcello. Cons: Didn't have the Porcello publicity; didn't pitch in playoff race. |
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| Rick Porcello, Det. | 31 | 14-9 | 0/0 | 3.96 | 170.2 | 52 | 89 |
| Pros: Led all rookie pitchers in wins; 5-2, 3.07 ERA over final two months of season. Cons: Nieman still had better numbers. |
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