MLB.com awards unveiled today (MLB.comアワード発表間近) http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20031204&content_id=610161&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp Of particular interest is the AL Rookie of the Year race, where Hideki Matsui was passed over by writers after driving in 106 runs for the Yankees in his first year after coming from Japan. It was the closest vote since the 5-3-1 tabulation system was adopted in 1980, with Berroa receiving 88 points to 84 for Matsui. Does a player deserve that rookie award consideration after spending many years playing overseas? Technically, of course, he does. In this case, Godzilla would have to beat out all rookies.
Matsui also is nominated for the Play of the Year, one of the new category offerings in MLB.com's This Year In Baseball Awards. Who can forget the grand slam he hit in his first game at Yankee Stadium? But was it more impressive than Atlanta shortstop Rafael Furcal's unassisted triple play, Bonds' homer in his first game back after his father Bobby had passed away, Hank Blalock's long ball at the All-Star Game or one of those ridiculous catches over the wall by Jim Edmonds or Brian Giles?