Minnesota Twins assigned hitter Nelson Cruz was casted a ballot Marvin Miller Man of the Year and Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was picked as Player of the Year in yearly Players Choice honor casting a ballot by the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Cruz hit .303 with 16 homers and 33 RBIs in the pandemic-abbreviated season. The Marvin Miller Award goes to the player whom his friends “most respect based on his leadership on the field and in the community.”
Freeman batted .341 with 13 homers and 53 RBIs.
Freeman was casted a ballot the NL’s extraordinary player, Cincinnati’s Trevor Bauer remarkable pitcher, San Diego infielder Jake Cronenworth exceptional newbie and Colorado pitcher Daniel Bard rebound player, the association said Thursday.
Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was casted a ballot the AL’s Outstanding Player, Cleveland’s Shane Bieber extraordinary pitcher, Seattle outfielder Kyle Lewis remarkable newbie and Cleveland pitcher Carlos Carrasco rebound player.
Lobby of Famer Andre Dawson was picked for the primary Curt Flood Award, given to “a former player who in the image of Flood demonstrated a selfless, longtime devotion to the players’ association and advancement of players’ rights.”
Cruz gave a fire motor and an emergency vehicle and helped assemble a police headquarters in his old neighborhood of Las Matas De Santa Cruz, Dominican Republic.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright additionally were finalists for the Marvin Miller Award.