Tampa Bay Baseball Writers of America hand out yearly awards to Rays’ players

October 3, 7:57 PMTampa Bay Sports ExaminerTed Fleming

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Ben Zobrist easily beat Carl Crawford to team MVP.
(AP/Chris O'Meara)

ST. PETERSBURG - The Tampa Bay chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of American handed out the annual awards for the Rays. Voting was donw on a 5-3-1 basis with first place votes getting five.

Marc Topkin, the president of the local BBWAA and Rays’ beat writer for the St. Petersburg Times was the master of ceremonies.

The Paul C. Smith Champion Award went to Carlos Pena with 38 votes. Carl Crawford (26) and J.P. Howell (18) finished second and third. Others receiving votes, in order, were Ben Zonrist, James Shields, Dan Wheeler, Jason Bartlett, Fernando Perez and Gabe Gross.

The Paul C. Smith Award is presented to the player who best exemplifies the true spirit of professionalism on and off the field. It was so names in honor of the late sports writer.

John Flaherty, three times, Greg Vaughn, Russ Johnson, Al Martin, Tino Martinez, Toby Hall, Crawford, and Cliff Floyd were previous recipients.

In the Outstanding Rookie category there was little doubt as American League Jackie Robinson Award candidate Jeff Niemann was a unanimous choice besting David Price and Wade Davis. Niemann received 65 votes to Price’s 39 and Davis’ 11.

In previous years Rolando Arrojo, Ryan Rupe, Steve Cox, the late Joe Kennedy, Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli, Jorge Cantu, Jonny Gomes, James Shields, Delmon Young and Evan Longoria have been honored.

And finally, the team’s Most Valuable Player for 2009 seemed an easy choice as Ben Zobrist outdistanced Carl Crawford, 56-26. Evan Longoria was third. Jason Bartlett and Carlos Pena also received votes.

Past honorees were Quinton McCracken, Roberto Hernandez, Gerald Williams, Tanyon Sturtze, Randy Winn, Aubrey Huff, Carl Crawford (twice), Jorge Cantu, Carlos Pena and Jason Bartlett.