It wasn’t too long ago — think All-Star Game in San Francisco — that Matt Holliday was synonymous with anonymous. Helping the Rockies to the World Series has changed his profile and his stature among his peers. He was among three finalists for the Players Choice Player of the Year award, losing out today to Yankees’ slugger Alex Rodriguez.
Holliday and Magglio Ordonez were the other two finalists. Holliday led the National League with a .340 average. He followed up a strong regular season by winning National League Championship Series MVP honors.
Holliday remains a strong candidate for the NL MVP, which is announced next month. Philadelphia’s Jimmy Rollins is considered the favorite.
Torii Hunter of the Minnesota Twins was the Players’ Choice for Man of the Year honors. He has devoted countless hours and money to help revive baseball in inner cities.
