By Dency Milan
In the midst of all the cloud of disappointment at the non-inclusion among the finalists of outfielder José Adolis García, for the Rookie of the Year award given by BBWAA, his countryman Randy Arozarena managed to consolidate his candidacy to achieve it.
Yes, Randy managed to win the award for Novato del Año (Rookie of the Year) by the American League, delivered by the prestigious Baseball Digest magazine, and by the Jonathan India National League of the Reds
The Tampa Bay Rays player had an excellent season, managed to hit 20 home runs and defraud 20 bases. First rookie Cuban to do so, in addition to his franchise. This milestone has been achieved by only 10 previous rookies in the entire history of Major League Baseball-MLB.
The Pinar del Río man managed to command among all the rookies, several of the important batting lines (hits, batting average, OBP, OPS), in addition to being the player with the most runs scored and doubles. If this doesn’t make him win the prize, it would literally be theft.
Without much for his contenders, Arozarena took 5 of 7 total votes, leaving one per capita for fellow Rangers Jose Adolis Garcia and Astros right-hander Luis Garcia.
For the National League Jonathan India, he got 6 of 7, leaving one for sensational left-hander Marlins starter Trevor Rogers.
It is the 50th edition in which the magazine awards the award, without giving any assurance, it would be giving a prelude to the award given by the BBWAA.
Own Randy Arozarena wrote on his Facebook profile:
‟What God has for you, nothing can take away from you, happy to be awarded, that they recognized my effort and to name me the Rookie of the Year, it is an honor to be the winner among so many talents that the League has. Infinite thanks to my family, my team and the fans of the Tampa Bay Rays, the thousands of followers who send me their beautiful messages every day and to God who leads my walk. “
Randy is one of our best exponents, and continues the tradition of being a player with a Cuban flavor. He was already named MVP of the 2020 American League Championship Series, baptized by Francys Romero as Mr. October, and this year he again reflected his performance in October, by stealing home plate and hitting a home run in the same game, first that he does in the majors.
Without a doubt, the one with the Mexican boots came to the Big Top to make history, and the awards are beginning to surrender to him.
