Manager Ozzie Guillen believes the bulk of the White Sox’s 2010 roster is set, and Gordon Beckham gave him another reason to feel optimistic about it.
Beckham, 23, has been named the Sporting News’ 2009 American League rookie of the year. Making the honor more special for Beckham was that the selection was made by a panel of 338 major-league players.
“When it comes down to it, I’d rather have the players’ than the media’s vote,” Beckham said Tuesday during a conference call. “But I think everything’s important.”
The Baseball Writers Association of America will announce its awards next month after the completion of the World Series. Despite not being promoted from Triple-A Charlotte until June 4, Beckham led all AL rookies with 28 doubles, 43 extra-base hits and 63 RBIs in 103 games in addition to a .270 batting average and 14 home runs.
He also showed improvement shifting to third base after spending his entire baseball career at shortstop.
“To me, it was very gut-wrenching because I started out slow,” Beckham said of the adjustment to the majors. After an 0-for-13 start, Beckham finally felt confident in the majors after a game-winning hit June 27 against the Cubs. Guillen was the last Sox player to win AL rookie of the year honors.
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Fresh men
Gordon Beckham is just the latest Chicago sports star to be named the best newcomer in their league. Here are some other recent winners.
2008-09
Derrick Rose, Bulls
The hometown hero lived up to the hype that preceded his arrival in Chicago, averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds a game. He also starred in a thrilling playoff series against Boston, scoring almost 20 points a game in the seven-game series that many say was the best first-round series ever.
2008
Geovany Soto, Cubs
The slugging catcher was a unanimous NL rookie of the year award winner thanks to his .285 batting average, 23 home runs and 86 RBIs. He also started the All-Star Game.
2007-08
Patrick Kane, Blackhawks
Had a stellar rookie season, tallying 21 goals and 51 assists for 72 points for the Hawks, which led the team. He beat out fellow Hawks rookie Jonathan Toews for the Calder Trophy awarded to the NHL’s top rookie.
2003
Damani Ralph, Fire
Although he definitely was not a household name, the Jamaican player broke the MLS record for goals by a rookie with 11 in 2003. He played for the fire from 2003-05. Source: nfl.com, nhl.com, nba.com
