Minnesota Twins Announce Diamond Awards Winners - MLB

MLN Newswire - mlntherawfeed.com - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Twins today announced the Diamond Awards, their annual awards for the 2007 season based on voting conducted by the Twin Cities Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. In addition, the Twins and the BBWAA announced plans for the Third Annual Diamond Awards Dinner which will be held January 24, 2008 and will benefit medical research at the University of Minnesota.

Twins’ All-Star centerfielder Torii Hunter is the winner of the Calvin R. Griffith Award (the Twins’ first owner) given to the Most Valuable Twin. Hunter hit 28 home runs and drove in a career-high 107 runs in 2007. He ranked tied for fourth in the American League with a career-high 45 doubles, while his three grand slams tied Alex Rodriguez for the most in the Majors. He finished the season with a .287 batting average, which included a career-long 23-game hitting streak.

For the fifth consecutive year, lefthanded pitcher Johan Santana is the winner of the Joseph W. Haynes Award (Former Twins’ Executive Vice-President) given to the Twins’ Pitcher of the Year. Santana, 28, was 15-13, 3.33 (219.0 ip, 81 er) allowing 183 hits with 52 walks and 235 strikeouts in 33 starts in 2007. Santana was named to his third career American League All-Star team and finished the season ranking second in the American League in strikeouts, third in opponents batting average (.225), sixth in innings pitched and seventh in ERA.

Righthanded pitcher Carlos Silva is the winner of the Charles O. Johnson Award (Former Minneapolis Star and Tribune Executive Sports Editor) given to the Most Improved Twin. Silva, 28, won 13 games and posted a 4.19 ERA in 33 starts during the 2007 season. He walked just 36 batters and lowered his home runs allowed from 38 in 2006 to 20 in 2007. Silva logged over 200.0 innings (202.0) for the second time in his career (203.0 in 2004) and matched a career-high with two complete games.

Rightanded pitcher Matt Garza is the winner of the Bill Boni Award (Former St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press Executive Sports Editor) given to the Twins’ Outstanding Rookie. Garza, 23, was 5-7, 3.69 (83.0 ip, 34 er), allowing 96 hits with 32 walks and 67 strikeouts in 16 appearances
(15 starts). He recorded 10 strikeouts and did not allow an earned run in his first 15.0 innings in 2007. Garza struck out a career-high 11 batters over 6.0 innings July 29 at Cleveland.

Righthanded pitcher Pat Neshek is the winner of the Dick Siebert Award (Former University of Minnesota Baseball Coach) given to the Upper Midwest Player of the Year. Neshek 27, went 7-2, 2.94 (70.1 ip, 23 er) and led the Twins with 74 appearances. Among American League relievers, Neshek’s seven wins ranked tied for second, his .183 batting-average-against ranked fifth, his 74 appearances ranked tied for fifth, his 74 strikeouts ranked tied for ninth, he ranked 14th with 70.1 innings and his 2.94 ERA ranked 18th.

Catcher Mike Redmond is the winner of the Bob Allison Award (Former Twins’ Player) given to the Twins player who exemplifies determination, hustle, tenacity, competitive spirit and leadership both on and off the field. Redmond, 36, hit .294 in 82 games in 2007. He set career-highs in hits (80), runs scored (23) and runs batted in (38). Redmond played a vital part in the development of young pitchers, Matt Garza, Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, Boof Bonser, Glen Perkins and Pat Neshek.

Centerfielder Torii Hunter, for the second consecutive year, is the winner of the Mike Augustin Award (Former Pioneer Press Sports Writer) given to the Twins player who fosters healthy relations with the media. Hunter, 32, batted .287 (172-for-600) with 45 doubles, one triple, 28 homers and a career-high 107 rbi in 160 games in 2007.

The Third Annual Diamond Awards dinner, which will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2008 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at The Depot in downtown Minneapolis, will honor the 2007 BBWAA award recipients as well as the winners of the Sherry Robertson Award (Brian Buscher, Twins’ Minor League Player of the Year), the Jim Rantz Award (Kevin Slowey, Twins’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year), the Carl R. Pohlad Community
Service Award (Johan Santana) and the Kirby Puckett Award (Tony Oliva).
All proceeds from the event will benefit the University of Minnesota’s innovative research and patient care focused on Ataxia, Muscular Dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Along with the award winners, current and former Twins players and coaches are scheduled to appear at the event.

A breakdown of previous winners is listed here:

CALVIN R. GRIFFITH AWARD
(Twins’ First Owner)
—MOST VALUABLE TWIN—
(As selected by vote of the Twin Cities Baseball Writers)
1961........................................................Harmon Killebrew
1962.....................................................................Vic Power
1963..................................................................Earl Battey
1964....................................................................Tony Oliva
1965...........................................................*Zoilo Versalles
1966........................................................Harmon Killebrew
1967........................................................Harmon Killebrew
1968.................................................................Cesar Tovar
1969......................................................*Harmon Killebrew
1970........................................................Harmon Killebrew
1971..............................................................Leo Cardenas
1972...................................................................Rod Carew
1973...................................................................Rod Carew
1974...................................................................Rod Carew
1975...................................................................Rod Carew
1976...................................................................Rod Carew
1977.................................................................*Rod Carew
1978.................................................................Roy Smalley
1979.................................................................Roy Smalley
1980................................................................John Castino
1981...............................................................Doug Corbett
1982....................................................................Gary Ward
1983................................................................John Castino
1984...................................................................Kent Hrbek
JOSEPH W. HAYNES AWARD
(Former Twins’ Executive Vice-President)
—TWINS’ PITCHER OF THE YEAR—
(As selected by vote of the Twin Cities Baseball Writers)
1962...........................................................Camilo Pascual
1963....................................................................Bill Dailey
1964.............................................................Al Worthington
1965..................................................................+Jim Grant
1966....................................................................+Jim Kaat
1967...............................................................Dean Chance
1968...............................................................Dean Chance
1969......................................................................Jim Perry
1970....................................................................*Jim Perry
1971...............................................................Bert Blyleven
1972......................................................................Jim Kaat
1973...............................................................Bert Blyleven
1974..............................................................Bill Campbell
1975..................................................................Jim Hughes
1976..............................................................Bill Campbell
1977...................................................................Dave Goltz
1978..............................................................Mike Marshall
1979.............................................................Jerry Koosman
1980...............................................................Doug Corbett
1981...............................................................Doug Corbett
1982.............................................................Bobby Castillo
1983.................................................................Ken Schrom
1984..................................................................Frank Viola
1985....................................................................Ron Davis
1986...............................................................Bert Blyleven
1987..................................................................Frank Viola
1988................................................................*Frank Viola
1989............................................................Allan Anderson
1990...............................................................Rick Aguilera
1991..................................................................Jack Morris
1992.................................................................John Smiley
1993...............................................................Rick Aguilera
1994................................................................Kevin Tapani
1995.................................................................Brad Radke
1996..........................................................Frank Rodriguez
1997.................................................................Brad Radke
1998..............................................................Mike Trombley
1999.................................................................Brad Radke
2000...................................................................Eric Milton
2001......................................................................Joe Mays
2002...........................................................Eddie Guardado
2003............................................................Johan Santana
2004........................................................*+Johan Santana
2005............................................................Johan Santana
2006........................................................*+Johan Santana
2007............................................................Johan Santana
( * — Also winner of Cy Young Award; + — Also winner of The Sporting News Award)
CHARLES O. JOHNSON AWARD
(Former Minneapolis Star and Tribune Executive Sports Editor)
—MOST IMPROVED TWIN—
(As selected by vote of the Twin Cities Baseball Writers)
1963..................................................................Lee Stange
1964......................................................................Jim Kaat
1965................................................................Don Mincher
1966......................................................................Jim Kaat
1967.............................................................Ted Uhlaender
1968.............................................................Ted Uhlaender
1969...................................................................Rod Carew
1970.................................................................Cesar Tovar
1971.................................................................Cesar Tovar
1972.........................................................Danny Thompson
1973.......................................................................Jim Holt
1974.........................................................Glenn Borgmann
1975......................................................................Phil Roof
1976............................................................Lyman Bostock
1977...................................................................Rod Carew
1978.................................................................Roy Smalley
1979.................................................................Rob Wilfong
1980................................................................John Castino
1981...................................................................Sal Butera
1982....................................................................Gary Ward
1983............................................................Mickey Hatcher
1984..................................................................Frank Viola
1985....................................................................Ron Davis
DICK SIEBERT AWARD
(Former University of Minnesota Baseball Coach)
—UPPER MIDWEST PLAYER OF THE YEAR—
(As selected by vote of the Twin Cities Baseball Writers)
1962...............................................................Dick Stigman
1963...........................................................John Blanchard
1964................................................................Bob Johnson
1965.................................................................Jerry Kindall
1966.............................................................Rick Reichardt
1967..................................................................Lee Stange
1968.............................................................Jerry Koosman
1969.............................................................Jerry Koosman
1970.............................................................Jerry Koosman
1971...................................................................Dick Green
1972................................................................Denis Menke
1973...................................................................John Hiller
1974..............................................................Dave Winfield
1975...................................................................Dave Goltz
1976...............................................................Tom Poquette
1977................................................................Tom Johnson
1978.................................................................Paul Molitor
1979..............................................................Dave Winfield
1980.................................................................Paul Molitor
Jack Morris
1981..................................................................Jack Morris
1982.................................................................Paul Molitor
1983............................................................Mike Boddicker
1984...................................................................Kent Hrbek
1985...............................................................Kirby Puckett
1986...............................................................Kirby Puckett
1987................................................................Jeff Reardon
1988...............................................................Kirby Puckett
1989...............................................................Kirby Puckett
1990................................................................Brian Harper
1991..................................................................Jack Morris
1992...............................................................Kirby Puckett
1993................................................................Brian Harper
1994...............................................................Kirby Puckett
1995........................................................Chuck Knoblauch
1996........................................................Chuck Knoblauch
1997.................................................................Brad Radke
1998................................................................Matt Lawton
1999.................................................................Brad Radke
2000................................................................Matt Lawton
2001.......................................................Doug Mientkiewicz
2002..................................................................Torii Hunter
2003.........................................................Shannon Stewart
2004............................................................Johan Santana
2005............................................................Johan Santana
2006..........................................................*Justin Morneau
2007..................................................................Torii Hunter
(* — Also American League MVP)
1986..................................................................Gary Gaetti
1987.................................................................Greg Gagne
1988............................................................Allan Anderson
1989................................................................Brian Harper
1990...............................................................Mark Guthrie
1991.................................................................Shane Mack
1992...............................................................Mark Guthrie
1993................................................................Larry Casian
1994........................................................Chuck Knoblauch
1995................................................................Pedro Munoz
1996.................................................................Rich Becker
1997.................................................................Brad Radke
1998.................................................................Todd Walker
1999...................................................................Eric Milton
2000.........................................................Cristian Guzman
2001......................................................................Joe Mays
2002............................................................LaTroy Hawkins
2003............................................................Johan Santana
2004.................................................................Juan Rincon
2005.................................................................Carlos Silva
2006..........................................................Michael Cuddyer
2007.................................................................Carlos Silva
1985..............................................................Dave Winfield
1986..................................................................Jack Morris
1987.................................................................Paul Molitor
1988..............................................................Dave Winfield
1989............................................................Terry Steinbach
1990............................................................Mike Boddicker
1991..................................................................Jack Morris
1992..............................................................Dave Winfield
1993.................................................................Paul Molitor
1994.................................................................Paul Molitor
1995..................................................................Dan Wilson
1996.................................................................Paul Molitor
1997..............................................................Denny Neagle
1998.................................................................Rick Helling
1999.................................................................Rick Helling
2000................................................................Darin Erstad
2001...................................................................Aaron Sele
2002..........................................................Jarrod Washburn
2003...................................................................Jim Brower
2004.................................................................Keith Foulke
2005...............................................................Travis Hafner
2006....................................................................Joe Mauer
2007..................................................................Pat Neshek
BILL BONI AWARD
(Former St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press Executive Sports Editor)
—TWINS’ OUTSTANDING ROOKIE—
(As selected by vote of the Twin Cities Baseball Writers)
1962.................................................................Bernie Allen
1963.................................................................Jimmie Hall
1964...............................................................*+Tony Oliva
1965........................................................Sandy Valdespino
1966.................................................................Cesar Tovar
1967..............................................................*+Rod Carew
1968....................................................................Ron Clark
1969.......................................................George Mitterwald
1970.............................................................+Bert Blyleven
1971.................................................................Steve Braun
1972..................................................................Bob Darwin
1973..................................................................Jerry Terrell
1974................................................................Craig Kusick
1975......................................................................Dan Ford
1976..........................................................+Butch Wynegar
1977.....................................................Paul Thormodsgard
1978............................................................Roger Erickson
1979..............................................................*John Castino
1980...............................................................Doug Corbett
1981..................................................................Dave Engle
1982...................................................................Kent Hrbek
1983..............................................................Darrell Brown
1984...............................................................Kirby Puckett
1985..................................................................Mark Salas
1986.......................................................Steve Lombardozzi
1987..................................................................Les Straker
1988..............................................................None Awarded
1989..................................................................Gary Wayne
1990................................................................Kevin Tapani
1991....................................................*+Chuck Knoblauch
1992..............................................................Mike Trombley
1993..................................................................Pat Meares
1994...............................................................Matt Walbeck
1995...........................................................*Marty Cordova
1996.................................................................Ron Coomer
1997..............................................................None Awarded
1998...................................................................Eric Milton
1999.........................................................Cristian Guzman
2000..............................................................Mark Redman
2001...................................................................Luis Rivas
2002.................................................................Bobby Kielty
2003......................................................................Lew Ford
2004....................................................................Joe Mauer
2005..................................................................Jesse Crain
2006.........................................................Francisco Liriano
2007..................................................................Matt Garza
( * — Also American League Rookie of the Year; + — Also winner of The Sporting News Rookie Award)
BOB ALLISON AWARD
(Former Twins’ Player)
—TWINS’ LEADERSHIP AWARD—
(As selected by vote of the Twin Cities Baseball Writers)
2005.............................................................Mike Redmond
2006.................................................................Brad Radke
2007.............................................................Mike Redmond
MIKE AUGUSTIN AWARD
(Former Pioneer Press Sports Writer)
—MEDIA GOOD GUY AWARD—
(As selected by vote of the Twin Cities Baseball Writers)
2006..................................................................Torii Hunter
2007..................................................................Torii Hunter
SHERRY ROBERTSON AWARD
(Former Twins’ Farm Director)
—MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR—
1970...................................................................Mark Wiley
1971...................................................................Steve Brye
1972..............................................................Tom Smithson
1973................................................................Craig Kusick
1974............................................................Butch Wynegar
1975..............................................................Steve Luebber
1976................................................................Dan Graham
1977....................................................................Greg Field
1978.............................................................Steve Douglas
1979.................................................................Steve Green
1980.................................................................Bob Konopa
1981...................................................................Kent Hrbek
1982.....................................................................Jeff Reed
1983....................................................................Tim Teufel
1984.................................................................Curt Wardle
1985............................................................Mark Davidson
1986.................................................................Gene Larkin
1987.....................................................................Mike Dyer
1988.................................................................Pete Delkus
1989...............................................................Paul Sorrento
1990..............................................................Denny Neagle
1991..............................................................Pat Mahomes
1992.............................................................Marty Cordova
1993............................................................LaTroy Hawkins
1994............................................................LaTroy Hawkins
1995.............................................................Javier Valentin
1996.................................................................Todd Walker
1997..................................................................David Ortiz
1998.......................................................Doug Mientkiewicz
1999.......................................................Michael Restovich
2000.................................................................John Barnes
2001..........................................................Michael Cuddyer
2002......................................................................Lew Ford
2003....................................................................Joe Mauer
2004.................................................................Jason Kubel
2005..............................................................David Winfree
2006................................................................Alexi Casilla
2007.............................................................Brian Buscher
KIRBY PUCKETT AWARD
(Former Twins’ Player)
—ALUMNI COMMUNITY SERVICE—
(As selected by the Twins Community Fund Board of Directors)
2006........................................................Harmon Killebrew
2007....................................................................Tony Oliva
CARL R. POHLAD AWARD
(Twins’ Owner)
—OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE—
(As selected by the Twins Community Fund Board of Directors)
1993................................................................Brian Harper
1944...................................................................Kent Hrbek
1995...............................................................Kirby Puckett
1996.................................................................Paul Molitor
1997...............................................................Rick Aguilera
1998............................................................Terry Steinbach
1999.................................................................Ron Coomer
2000.............................................................Denny Hocking
2001................................................................Corey Koskie
2002.................................................................Brad Radke
2003.......................................................Doug Mientkiewicz
2004..................................................................Torii Hunter
2005...........................................................Ron Gardenhire
2006..........................................................Michael Cuddyer
2007............................................................Johan Santana
--www.twinsbaseball.com--
JIM RANTZ AWARD
(Former Twins’ Player and current Farm Director)
—MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE YEAR—
2002...................................................................J.D. Durbin
2003..................................................................Jesse Crain
2004..................................................................Scott Baker
2005.........................................................Francisco Liriano
2006..................................................................Matt Garza
2007................................................................Kevin Slowey

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