José Dariel Abreu was chosen Rookie of the Year of the American League. Nobody doubted it was an open secret. His numbers and performance throughout the season were commissioned to mark the cross unanimously in each of the 30 ballots of the members of the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) selected to award the prize.
It is the first time a Cuban who left National Series achieves the Jackie Robinson award, Tony Oliva did it before in 1964 playing for the Minnesota Twins and Jose Canseco in 1986 wearing the flannels of the Oakland Athletic. Meanwhile, in the National League, Jose Fernandez is the only Cuban player who could lift the trophy last season when he did it with the Florida Marlins.
The Chicago White Sox did not see player from their franchise recognized for best rookie season since Ozzie Guillen was privileged in 1985. Pito Abreu is the first rookie to conclude the regular 162 games in Major League Baseball (MLB) among the five leaders in the stats in batting average, homers and RBIs (departments that are considered for the Triple Crown in batting).
Offensive average of 317, the 36 homers, 107 RBIs, 176 hits, 35 doubles, 80 runs scored and slugging of 581, were the main cause for the Cienfuegos player to leave without options for the vote the Dominican Dellin Betances, from the Yankees of New York and Matt Shoemaker, of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Thus, José Dariel crowns a lofty season full of laurels, in which he impressed every time he stood at home plate and showed his almost perfect batting mechanics. With just one season, Abreu has become one of the best first basemen of all MLB.
This award for the best rookie in the American League will join in his showcase the awards obtained as best rookie this season in April, June and July, and the “All Star” 2014 selection, plus the Silver Slugger as best offensive first baseman.
