ST. LOUIS — Rafael Palmeiro, who returned to the Texas Rangers as a free agent after five seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, is The Sporting News Player of the Year.
Palmeiro, mostly a designated hitter, batted .324 with 47 home runs and 148 RBI. He edged last year’s winner, Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa, 74 votes to 57½ in balloting by nearly 400 major leaguers for the award given annually since 1936.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez finished third with 53 votes, followed by Cleveland Indians right fielder Manny Ramirez with 48½, and Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones with 30.
“I’m shocked, really stunned about it,” Palmeiro said. “It’s not something I ever thought I’d win.”
Boston’s Jimmy Williams and Atlanta’s Bobby Cox were selected as American League and National League Manager of the Year by their peers.