Babes Love Honors

It's November, which means it's Major League Baseball Award season. With the MVPs and Cy Young Awards coming this next week, a few Twins didn't have to wait that long to receive their honors.

On Wednesday, Johan Santana won the Players Choice Award - voted for by each Major League player on a secret ballot - for the American League's Outstanding Pitcher. This comes as his second in three years, his first coming when he one the Cy Young Award in 2004. He also earned the Joseph W. Haynes Award (former Twins executive vice president) for being the best overall Twins' hurler.

Justin Morneau, a 2006 MVP candidate, won the Calvin R. Griffith Award (Minnesota's first owner) which is given to the Most Valuable Twin. The Canadian Crusher hit .321, with 34 home runs and 130 RBIs, ranking second only to Big Papi, who had 7 more runs batted in. Morneau also became the first Twins player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season since 1987.

Joe Mauer was the winner of the Dick Siebert Award (former University of Minnesota baseball coach), which is awarded to the Upper Midwest Player of the Year. Mauer became the first American League catcher and the youngest player since A-Rod in '96 to win the batting title, after hitting .347 at age 23.

Michael Cuddyer recieved the Charles O. Johnson Award (former Minneapolis Star Tribune executive sports editor), given to the Most Improved Twins Player. New to right field, Cuddy hit .284 with 24 home runs and 109 RBIs. He became the 18th player in franchise history to score 100 runs and drive in 100 runs during the same season.

Brad Radke was given the Bob Allison Award (former Twins great) as the player who "exemplifies determination, hustle, tenacity, competitive spirit and leadership, both on and off the field". He should also get the Toughest Man the Universe Award for pitching with his shoulder hanging from the socket.


Center fielder Torii Hunter became the winner of the first Mike Augustin Award (former Pioneer Press sports writer), as the Twins player who promotes a positive relationship with the media. Who doesn't love Torii Hunter...besides maybe Captain Cheeseburger Sabathia? Hunter also produced on the field, hitting .278 with a career-high 31 homers and 98 RBIs. Torii earned his sixth consecutive Gold Glove this season, joining Jim Kaat (12) and the late Kirby Puckett (6) as the only Twins in history to achieve the honor 6 times.


In addition to being a Rookie of the Year candidate, Francisco Liriano earned the Bill Boni Award (former St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press executive sports editor), as the Twins Most Outstanding Rookie. At the age of 23, Liriano finished his short year at 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and one save, striking out 144 in 121 innings. Liriano successfully underwent Tommy John Surgery on his throwing arm and will remain out of the lineup for the entire 2007 season.

Look for the Major League Honors coming mid-November and read more here about Harmon Killebrew's induction into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.