This entry was posted on 11/21/2008 7:56 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
The honors just keep on coming for Youkilis and Pedroia, who both look more and more as if they're going to be the cornerstones of the Sox for the next 5-10 years. Hopefully we'll have both of them at the BBWAA Dinner being held at the Westin Hotel in January.
Here's the release from the Sox: Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis has been selected as the recipient of the 2008 Jackie Jensen Award, it was announced by the Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
In addition, the Boston BBWAA announced it has named second baseman Dustin Pedroia as its 2008 Red Sox Most Valuable Player. Lefthanded pitcher Jon Lester was chosen as the Chapter’s 2008 Red Sox Pitcher of the Year.
The awards will be presented at the 70th Boston BBWAA Awards Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at the Westin Waterfront Hotel in South Boston. Tickets are still available for the dinner.
Youkilis was selected as the 18th recipient of the Jackie Jensen Award in balloting conducted by the members of the Boston BBWAA Chapter. He took home the honor in 2007 as well, joining Johnny Damon (2004-05) as the only two-time recipients. The award is named for the late Red Sox outfielder, who starred with Boston from 1954-59 and 1961 and is presented annually to a major league player for “spirit and determination.”
Youkilis batted .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBI in 145 games with the Red Sox in 2008. The 29-year-old led all American League qualifiers with an RBI every 4.8 at-bats and finished third in the league with a .569 slugging percentage, fourth with 76 extra-base hits and 115 RBI and sixth in batting.
Pedroia was named the Red Sox Most Valuable Player after batting .326 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI in 157 games in 2008. He is the first second baseman ever to receive the honor. Earlier this month, the BBWAA voted Pedroia as the A.L. MVP, the 10th such award in franchise history.
Lester earned the Boston Chapter’s Red Sox Pitcher of the Year Award, the first lefthander to do so since Bruce Hurst in 1988. The 2007 recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award went 16-6 and ranked among A.L. leaders in shutouts (T1st, 2), ERA (5th, 3.21), starts (T5th, 33), innings (7th, 210.1) and wins (T7th). He tossed the 18th no-hitter in club history against Kansas City on May 19 at Fenway Park.
Director of Amateur Scouting Jason McLeod captured the Red Sox Unsung Hero Award.
Other award recipients at the Boston Baseball Dinner are: Jacoby Ellsbury—Red Sox Rookie of the Year; Jonathan Papelbon—Red Sox Fireman of the Year; Sean Casey—Good Guy Award; Jeff Bailey—Red Sox Minor League Award. Other award winners will be announced in the future.
Tickets for the dinner are priced at $150.00 each. Tickets can be purchased by making checks payable to Boston Chapter BBWAA and mailing to: Boston Chapter BBWAA, P.O. Box 7346, Nashua, NH, 03060. Proceeds from the event will help the Chapter to continue supporting charitable causes.
