Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers Wins 2007 Jackie Robinson NL Rookie of the Year Award - MLB

MLN Newswire - mlntherawfeed.com - It has been typically common for the voters who determine baseball’s major individual award winners to just select the players with the best offensive numbers. That was again the case on Monday when Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun edged Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki for the 2007 Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year Award. Braun edged Tulowitzki in the closest finish for the award since the current voting system was adopted in 1980.

The Milwaukee third baseman was listed first on 17 of 32 ballots, second on 14 and third on one for 128 points, based on a 5-3-1 tabulation system. Tulowitzki, the Drillers shortstop in 2006, was first on 15 ballots and second on the other 17 for 126 points. It is the second time in a week that Tulowitzki has been snubbed for a major award.

He failed to win a National League Gold Glove last week despite leading all league shortstops in fielding percentage, assists, total chances and double plays. He also turned an unassisted triple play.

Braun compiled impressive offensive numbers this season despite not joining the Brewers until May 25. He hit .324 with 34 homers and a .634 slugging percentage. He drove in 97 runs and stole 15 bases. Defensively, however, Braun was tied for the most errors in the majors with 26. His .895 fielding percentage ranked last among regular Major League defenders, and he was the only player with a fielding percentage under .900.

In comparison, Tulowitzki’s defensive wizardry was complemented by a .291 batting average and 24 homers and 99 runs batted in. He scored 119 runs and stole seven bases. If he had won the award, Tulowitzki would have become only the second former Drillers player to be named Rookie of the Year, joining pitcher Dave Righetti who won the 1981 American League Award as member of the New York Yankees.

Houston’s Hunter Pence finished third behind Braun and Tulowitzki in the NL voting. Pence played in the Texas League with Corpus Christi during the 2006 season.

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