The Boston Baseball Writer’s Association of America has released it’s 2009 award recipients to be handed out at their annual dinner on January 14, 2010.
Here is the list of winners from the Red Sox:
Papelbon among BBWAA honorees [Extra Bases]
| AP Top 25 | ESPN/USA Today Poll |
| 1. Kansas (56) 3-0 1,613 | 1. Kansas (28) 3-0 772 |
| 2. Michigan State (7) 4-0 1,538 | 2. Michigan State (2) 4-0 734 |
| 3. Texas (1) 2-0 1,439 | 3. Texas 2-0 698 |
| 4. Villanova 5-0 1,397 | 4. Villanova 5-0 655 |
| 5. Kentucky 4-0 1,333 | 5. Kentucky 4-0 642 |
| 6. Purdue 3-0 1,314 | 6. Purdue 3-0 588 |
| 7. Duke 4-0 1,163 | 7. Duke (1) 4-0 587 |
| 8. West Virginia 1-0 1,133 | 8. West Virginia 1-0 532 |
| 9. Tennessee 4-0 1,040 | 9. Syracuse 4-0 481 |
| 10. Syracuse (1) 4-0 1,013 | 10. Butler 3-0 475 |
| 11. North Carolina 4-1 914 | 11. Tennessee 4-0 464 |
| 12. Butler 3-0 872 | 12. North Carolina 4-1 447 |
| 13. Connecticut 3-0 850 | 13. Connecticut 3-0 405 |
| 14. Washington 4-0 844 | 14. Washington 4-0 383 |
| 15. Michigan 2-0 672 | 15. Michigan 2-0 339 |
| 16. Louisville 3-0 486 | 16. Minnesota 3-0 233 |
| 17. Ohio State 3-1 466 | 16. Louisville 3-0 233 |
| 18. Georgetown 3-0 418 | 18. Ohio State 3-1 219 |
| 19. Clemson 3-0 408 | 19. Georgetown 3-0 205 |
| 20. Illinois 3-0 366 | 19. Clemson 3-0 205 |
| 21. Maryland 3-0 296 | 21. Illinois 3-0 131 |
| 22. Minnesota 3-0 292 | 22. Maryland 3-0 99 |
| 23. Notre Dame 4-0 117 | 23. California 2-2 71 |
| 24. Vanderbilt 2-0 108 | 24. Vanderbilt 2-0 67 |
| 25. Oklahoma 2-1 107 | 25. Georgia Tech 3-1 56 |
| Others Receiving Votes | Others Receiving Votes |
| Gonzaga 90, Florida State 84, Georgia Tech 76, California 72, Mississippi 67, Xavier 67, Oklahoma State 59, Memphis 56, Florida 52, Kansas State 49, Wake Forest 49, Dayton 48, Brigham Young 42, Tulsa 31, Miami (FL) 24, Texas A&M 10, Missouri 8, Old Dominion 7, Mississippi State 7, Pittsburgh 6, UNLV 5, South Carolina 4, Temple 4, Baylor 3, Arizona State 1, Cal State Fullerton 1, Harvard 1, New Mexico 1, Siena 1, Virginia Commonwealth 1. | Oklahoma 53, Wake Forest 40, Gonzaga 26, Oklahoma State 24, Brigham Young 23, Florida State 20, Notre Dame 18, Dayton 18, UNLV 18, Miami (FL) 16, LSU 15, Pittsburgh 12, Xavier 12, Tulsa 12, Memphis 11, Mississippi 10, Kansas State 8, Texas A&M 8, Florida 3, Missouri 3, Saint Mary’s 2, Siena 1, New Mexico 1. |
| Dropped From Rankings | Dropped From Rankings |
| California 13, Dayton 18, Georgia Tech 21. | Oklahoma 17, Dayton 21. |
Despite missing the first month of the season with some back issues, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer was the overwhelming choice by the Baseball Writer’s Association of America as the American League Most Valuable Player.
Mauer received 27-of-28 first place votes while Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who finish fourth behind New York Yankees’ Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter, received the other first place vote.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis finished fifth while Red Sox free agent outfielder Jason Bay was sixth.
Mauer, who won his second straight batting title with a .365 average, also had career-highs of 28 home runs and 96 runs batted in.
Only four catchers have ever won the MVP award. Ivan Rodriguez was the last catcher to win when he was named AL MVP in 1999. Thurman Munson is the only other catcher in the AL to win it (1976) while Johnny Bench is the only catcher in the National League to be MVP (1972).
Mauer is also the fifth Twins player to take home MVP honors. Teammate Justin Morneau (2006), Rod Carew (1977), Harmon Killebrew (1969) and Zoilo Versalles (1965).
The last award to be handed out by the BWAA is the National League MVP which will awarded on Tuesday.
Full results after the jump.
The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston by Christopher Klein
BOSTON, MA—November is here and the holiday season is upon us. So what gifts do Bostonians get for the obsessed die-hard sports fan that already owns every piece of memorabilia imaginable? Christopher Klein, author of The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston: A Spectator’s Handbook offers a range of Boston Sports Gifts for this holiday season. Some might be out of the ballpark, but that’s for the ump to decide.
“There are more than enough sporting events to choose from for your family’s die-hard,” Klein says. For affordable family-friendly options, he lists several local teams, from the Boston Blazers to the Providence Bruins to local college men and women’s games.
“But why just buy tickets for one game when you could attend a whole season’s worth?” Klein notes that the Boston Blazers indoor lacrosse team offers season tickets for $80—an incredible steal. “The Blazers are one of Boston’s newest and hottest teams and season tickets are sure to be a huge hit with lax fans in the family.” The Boston Breakers also have season tickets available for as little as $165—or just $15 a game. “This local Women’s Soccer team has made a fantastic comeback at the historic Harvard Stadium. They will be sure to inspire your family’s soccer star next spring.”
Or if the goal of the gift is to go big, “Splurge for a once in a lifetime experience,” Klein says about getting tickets to see the NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park. “On New Year’s Day, watch the beloved ballpark be transformed into an ice rink as the Bruins take on the Philadelphia Flyers.”
“Have a friend who can’t stop singing about the Celtics?” If so, submit a recording to the C’s and he might be selected to perform the National Anthem at TD Garden before a home game this season. “Or, for fans over fifteen, book a ride on the Zamboni at a B’s game.” The cost: donate over $150 to the Bruins Foundation.
For those required romantic dates during the holiday season—with a necessary sports twist—Klein suggests making a date for a Saturday morning. “Nothing says romance like a cappuccino in Boston’s North End. Of course, cheering on the European soccer teams with lively locals makes the experience all the more unique.”
And then, there’s always The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston. “Ok, I’m biased,” Klein says, “But, under twenty bucks, jam-packed with Boston sports history and the practical information that die-hard fans want, this book makes an ideal and affordable holiday gift for sports fans, history buffs, and Boston enthusiasts.”
The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston is available in bookstores and online.
It looks like it’s going to be another unsettling offseason for Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell.
According to a report on FOXSports.com, the Red Sox have put Mike Lowell on the trade block and are willing to pay half of the remaining $12 million left on his contract for 2010.
Could this be a precursor to something even bigger, say Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres?
The Red Sox are very interested in acquiring Gonzalez and would need to move Lowell since Kevin Youkilis would shift over to third base. With Jed Hoyer as the GM in San Diego, it’s quite possible this could happen but he may hold on to Gonzalez due to his relatively low salaries in 2010 and 2011 ($4.75 million in 2010 and $5.5 million team option in 2011).
Baseball winter meetings are right around the corner so expect the hot stove to warm up even more as we get closer.
UConn Football links
He’s Simply No Ordinary Joe (Griffin) [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]
What we learned in the Big East, Week 12 [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]
Big East bowl projections [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]
Big East helmet stickers, Week 12 [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]
Week 12 review/Week 13 preview [Big East Blog – ESPN.com]
Greetings from Gate 9 [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]
The day after ND fell (again) [Neill Ostrout – Connecticut Post]
Snapshots of awesomeness [TheUConnBlog.com]
Photo Gallery Of The UConn Win Over Notre Dame [UConnHuskies.com]
Huskies won, but didn’t hold vs. Irish [Connecticut Post]
Huskies’ ground attack powers win over Notre Dame [Connecticut Post]
Big East Official: UConn Calls Were Wrong [Hartford Courant]
No big upset, but huge victory [New Haven Register]
Right back in the bowl picture [The Day]
Nothing like South Bend on game day [The Republican-American]
UConn’s football story writes another great chapter [Arizona Republic]
UConn, Rutgers Provide Good and Bad for Big East [NESN.com]
UConn Women’s Basketball links
Here are some highlights from UConn’s win over Holy Cross on Friday night courtesy of Boneyarder Daddychoc.
UConn Men’s Basketball links
Craig Austrie excited to play near home [UConn Huskies Basketball]
Other UConn related links
Men’s Soccer. Ford Sets New Record for Career Shutouts [UConnHuskies.com]
Heck of a win for the UConn Huskies football team against Notre Dame yesterday. Just win it looked like another close loss would happen, the Huskies did what some thought was impossible and beat the Irish. If you missed Randy Edsall’s postgame interview on NBC and Andre Dixon’s 4 yard game-winning touchdown don’t worry I’ve got you covered with the video. Just click on their names.
And we have a great highlight video from Jared Nuss aka Santini35 at the Boneyard.
And some postgame chants from the crowd leaving the game.
Links coming up after the jump.
UConn Huskies running back Andre Dixon takes it to the house to give UConn a 33-30 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, November 21, 2009.
[flash http://ianbethune.com/dixontd.flv w=510 h=340]
NBC Sports’ Alex Flanagan interviews an emotional UConn Huskies head coach Randy Edsall after the Huskies 33-30 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, November 21, 2009.
[flash http://ianbethune.com/edsallnbc.flv w=510 h=340]
Ever since the passing of Jasper Howard, the UConn Huskies football team has gone through a gauntlet of emotions.
They played West Virginia close and almost pulled off the upset in their first game since his death losing by four points late in the game. UConn then heads to Miami to bury their fallen teammate just two days later.
Then came one of Howard’s best friends, Tim Brown, catching the game-winning touchdown late to give Rutgers a four-point victory. Finally, the Huskies fell behind the Cincinnati Bearcats big only to see their rally fall short.
Saturday afternoon they fell behind early to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Late in the fourth quarter, Huskies running back Andre Dixon ran for not one but two touchdowns only to have them called back on penalties. Then kicker Dave Teggart misses a game-winning 37 yard field goal with no time left in the fourth quarter.
You could hear the collective sigh of UConn Country saying “Here we go again, we’re going to lose another close game.”
But my friends that was simply not the case.
After matching touchdowns in the first overtime, UConn’s defense held strong and the Irish had to settle for a field goal.
Then UConn’s strength took over as they ran the ball four straight times after an incomplete pass, the final one a four yard scamper into the end zone for Dixon to give the Huskies a 33-30 over the Irish in front of a sold-out Notre Dame Stadium.
Since their rise to the FBS, there have been some good wins over good programs but they really lacked a signature win. Saturday’s win over Notre Dame gives them that signature win. Sure the Irish are struggling and their head coach Charlie Weis will probably find himself out of a job at the end of the season but for some people, Notre Dame is college football.
They are a storied program or should I say, they were a storied program. Nonetheless, it’s a win that this UConn football program desperately needed. You can only think that this win on national television over Irish will do wonders for Randy Edsall’s recruiting efforts.
With another win, the Huskies become bowl eligible but it will probably take wins in their final two games to secure a bowl berth. It can be done folks, we just have to have faith.
Somewhere in heaven, Jazz is smiling down on his teammates and the UConn football program and rightfully so.
Scoring:
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | OT1 | OT2 | Final |
| UConn Huskies | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 33 |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
1st quarter
ND – Golden Tate 8 yd pass from Jimmy Clausen (David Ruffer kick) – Notre Dame 7 UConn 0
2nd quarter
ND – Jimmy Clausen 1 yd run (David Ruffer kick) – Notre Dame 14 UConn 0
CON – Jordan Todman 43 yd run (Dave Teggart kick) – Notre Dame 14 UConn 7
CON – Dave Teggart 39 yd field goal – Notre Dame 14 UConn 10
3rd quarter
ND – David Ruffer 20 yd field goal – Notre Dame 17 UConn 10
CON – Jordan Todman 96 yd kickoff return (Dave Teggart kick) – UConn 17 Notre Dame 17
4th quarter
ND – David Ruffer 23 yd field goal – Notre Dame 20 UConn 17
CON – Dave Teggart 29 yd field goal – UConn 20 Notre Dame 20
1st OT
CON – Kashif Moore 11 yd pass from Zach Frazer (Dave Teggart kick) – UConn 27 Notre Dame 20
ND – Michael Floyd 4 yd pass from Jimmy Clausen (David Ruffer kick) – UConn 27 Notre Dame 27
2nd OT
ND – David Ruffer 36 yd field goal – Notre Dame 30 UConn 27
CON – Andre Dixon 4 yd run – UConn 33 Notre Dame 30