There is some good news in Philly today. A Philadelphia Phillie comes up big! Ryan Howard has won the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Imagine what this guy would have done had he had the opportunity to play the whole season. Well done.

Street, Howard win Rookie of the Year awards

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Huston Street became the second consecutive AL Rookie of the Year from the Oakland Athletics, and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard won the NL award Monday.

Street, who took over as Oakland's closer in May, got 15 of 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America and finished with 97 points. New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano came in second with 57 points, followed by Tampa Bay designated hitter Jonny Gomes with 39.

A's shortstop Bobby Crosby was the 2004 winner.

Howard replaced injured star Jim Thome and led all rookies with 22 home runs. He received 19 of 32 first-place votes and 109 points to beat out Houston Astros outfielder Willy Taveras, who got 78 points. Atlanta Braves right fielder Jeff Francouer was third with 60.

Street, the son of former Texas quarterback James Street, who led the Longhorns to a national title in 1969, became Oakland's closer when Octavio Dotel went down with an injury. The 22-year-old righty went 5-1 with 23 saves and a 1.72 ERA - second among AL closers to New York's Mariano Rivera.

Street had 72 strikeouts in 78 1-3 innings, and opposing hitters batted only .194 against him.

Howard had been a highly touted slugger in the minors for years, but his path to the majors appeared blocked until back and elbow injuries sidelined Thome.

Howard took advantage of his opportunity to play regularly, batting .288 with 63 RBIs in 88 games. He had 11 homers and 27 RBIs in September and October, helping Philadelphia come within one game of a wild-card berth.

He is the fourth Phillies player to win the award, joining Scott Rolen, Dick Allen and Jack Sanford.

Street is the fifth Oakland player honored, joining Crosby, Ben Grieve, Walt Weiss, Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco.