Oakland A’s Andrew Bailey Wins American League Rookie of the Year

Diamond Stud

Oakland A’s right-hander closer Andrew Bailey won the 2009 American League Rookie of the Year award. Elvis Andrus shortstop of the Texas Rangers finished second in the voting, which was carried out by selected members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Bailey, 25, posted 26 saves while no other AL rookie reliever had more than two and posted an 1.84 ERA, also the best among AL rookies. He was listed first on 13 ballots submitted by two writers in each AL city, second on six and third on five to score 88 points, based on a 5-3-1 tabulation system.

Bailey is the second Oakland closer to win in the past five elections; Huston Street won it in 2005. Including shortstop Bobby Crosby’s honor in 2004, this marks the third time in six seasons that an A’s player has won the rookie award and the eighth time overall, tying the Yankees for the most winners in the league.

Moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen at Double-A Midland at mid season in 2008, Bailey didn’t just make a successful transition to relief work. He made the transition look like a breeze. Named to the 25-man roster in part because projected closer Joey Devine was out with an elbow injury that resulted in season-ending surgery, Bailey was handed a low-stress role in the season’s first several weeks but steadily climbed the ladder of responsibility.

He picked up his first save in early May and eventually took over as the full-time closer, converting his final 21 save opportunities dating to June 17.

Named the Athletics’ lone representative at the All-Star Game in St. Louis this summer, Bailey broke Street’s Oakland rookie record for saves and posted a 6-3 record with a 0.88 WHIP and 91 strikeouts against 24 walks in 83 1/3 innings over 68 appearances. Opponents batted .167 against Bailey, who surrendered 47 hits

In what turned out to be a great year for the rookies you couldn’t go wrong with any of the top 5 vote getter. There were so many rookies who had great years.