Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was of the strong opinion that third baseman Garrett Atkins deserved to win National League rookie of the year.
But when voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America was announced Monday, Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard was the runaway winner and Atkins a distant fourth.
Howard, who replaced injured Phillies star Jim Thome and led all major-league rookies with 22 home runs, received 19 of 32 first-place votes and 109 points. He beat out Houston outfielder Willy Taveras (78 points) and Atlanta right fielder Jeff Francoeur (60).
Hurdle said at season’s end that Atkins “answered all the questions I had about him.”
Atkins received just one first-place vote and 17 points, despite hitting .287 with 13 home runs and leading all rookies in RBIs (89), doubles (31), extra-base hits (45) and walks (45). Colorado left-handed starter Jeff Francis finished tied for sixth and shortstop Clint Barmes tied for eighth.
Huston Street, Oakland’s superb closer, was named American League rookie of the year. Street, who took over as the A’s closer in May, got 15 of 28 first-place votes and finished with 97 points. New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano (57) was second, followed by Tampa Bay designated hitter Jonny Gomes (39).
Atkins’ bid was short-circuited for a number of reasons. First might have been the Coors Field curse for any Rockies hitter up for an award. Atkins batted .339 at home, but just .238 on the road. Second, he played for a last-place team. Plus, his 18 errors were the fourth-most among NL third basemen.
Howard played under a much brighter spotlight. He hit 11 homers and had 27 RBIs in September and October and helped the Phillies come within one game of a wild-card berth. And, even though the Phillies play at homer-friendly Citizens Bank Park, Howard hit 11 homers at home and 11 on the road.
“Things just fell into place for me,” said Howard, who was called up from the minors on July 1 and became Philadelphia’s starting first baseman when Thome was injured. “You never want to see anybody hurt, but I just tried to make the most of my chances.”
Street, just 22, became Oakland’s closer when Octavio Dotel was injured. The son of former Texas Longhorns quarterback James Street was 5-1 with 23 saves and a 1.72 ERA. He had 72 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings, and hitters were .194 against him.
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
