Pedroia gets rookie award

Kevin Youkilis presented Dustin Pedroia with a a Players Choice Award before the game for
2007 AL Outstanding Rookie on behalf of all American League Players.

Here's part of the press release by the MBPLA:

In a pre-game ceremony this evening, Pedroia received a prestigious Players Choice Award as the 2007 AL Outstanding Rookie. Selected in a secret ballot of all American League players, Pedroia compiled one of the best seasons by a Red Sox rookie in the past 50 years.

In 2007, Pedroia led all Major League rookies, and set the record for rookie second basemen, with a .317 batting average. He finished 10th among all AL hitters in batting average, and his 165 hits were third on the team, trailing only Mike Lowell (191) and David Ortiz (182). He led all Major League rookies in doubles (39) and was second in on-base percentage.

In Pedroia's honor, the Major League Baseball Players Trust will award a $20,000 grant to his hometown Little League in Woodland, California. 2007 Players Choice Award winners in all categories will designate charities to receive grants totaling $260,000 from the Players Trust. Since 1992, the Players Trust has recognized the outstanding on-field and off-field performances of Players Choice Awards winners by contributing over $3 million to charities around the world.

Through the Players Trust, Major Leaguers contribute their time, money and celebrity to call attention to important causes affecting the needy and to help encourage others to get involved in their own communities. In partnership with Volunteers of America, the national human service organization, the Players Trust created and helps administer the Action Team, a national youth volunteer program currently inspiring the next generation of volunteers in cities throughout the United States. Players Choice Awards winners (Outstanding Pitchers, Rookies, Comeback Players, Player of the Year and the Marvin Miller Man of the Year) were selected by secret ballot of all Major League baseball players, under the supervision of accounting firm KPMG.

The 2007 Players Choice Awards winners and finalists [winners in bold & underlined]:

EITHER LEAGUE:

Player of the Year: Matt Holliday (Colorado), Magglio Ordonez (Detroit), Alex Rodriguez (NY Yankees)
Marvin Miller Man of the Year: Tom Glavine (NY Mets), Torii Hunter (Minnesota), Jake Peavy (San Diego)

AMERICAN LEAGUE:

Outstanding Player: Curtis Granderson (Detroit), Magglio Ordonez (Detroit), Alex Rodriguez (NY Yankees)
Outstanding Pitcher: Josh Beckett (Boston), C.C. Sabathia (Cleveland), Chien-Ming Wang (NY Yankees)
Outstanding Rookie: Brian Bannister (Kansas City), Dustin Pedroia (Boston), Delmon Young (Tampa Bay)
Comeback Player of the Year: Jon Lester (Boston), Carlos Pena (Tampa Bay), Sammy Sosa (Texas)

NATIONAL LEAGUE:

Outstanding Player: Prince Fielder (Milwaukee), Matt Holliday (Colorado), David Wright (NY Mets)
Outstanding Pitcher: Jeff Francis (Colorado), Jake Peavy (San Diego), Brandon Webb (Arizona)
Outstanding Rookie: Ryan Braun (Milwaukee), Hunter Pence (Houston), Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado)
Comeback Player of the Year: Rick Ankiel (St. Louis), Josh Hamilton (Cincinnati), Dmitri Young (Washington)