2003 MLB Awards

Tony Peña
Kansas City Royals
This pick is a no-brainer as the Royals were in the race for the Central Division until the final weeks of the season posting a surprising record of 83-79 a year after losing 100 games.

Jack McKeon
Flordia Marlins
When Jack McKeon took over for Jeff Torborg on May 11 the Marlins were a team in turmoil and in last place. Their turn around to win the Wild Card was simply miraculous and McKeon must be given the accolades for it.

Rocco Baldelli
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
First off Hideki Matsui should not be considered a rookie. Second, playing on a last place team Baldelli had a better year, with a better batting average and more runs scored, while stealing 27 bases and hitting 11 homers.

Dontrelle Willis
Florida Marlins
With an impressive 14-6 record Dontrelle Willis is the choice for rookie of the year despite struggling in August. He was a key part of the Marlins run to the Wild Card, while posting a still respectable 3.30 ERA.

Carlos Delgado
Toronto Blue Jays
With a Major League best 145 RBI Carlos Delgado was the lynch pin in a top notch Blue Jays offense that posted a solid record of 86-76, while posting the season's only 4-HR game.

Barry Bonds
San Francisco Giants
For winning this award for the 3rd year in a row, maybe it should be renamed the Barry Bonds award. Bonds had another stellar season playing through personal trauma.

Esteban Loaiza
Chicago White Sox
After starting the season on baseball's trash heap needing to sign a minor league contract, after getting no offers in the offseason, Loaiza won 21 games and led the AL in strikeouts.

Kevin Brown
Los Angeles Dodgers
After a 2002 season plagued by injury the Dodgers ace starting pitcher bounced back nicely posting a terrific 2.39 ERA, which was the second lowest in the National League.

Frank Thomas
Chicago White Sox
The Big Hurt went into the season with everyone questioning if he had anything left, as he was asked to take a pay cut. It all may have provided motivation as Thomas had a MVP season with 42 Homers tied for 2nd in the AL.

Ivan Rodriguez
Flordia Marlins
After being dropped by the Texas Rangers, Ivan Rodriguez had to settle for a 1-year contract in Florida. He more then proved he could still play, as he hit near .300 and provided leadership for a young Marlins pitching staff.

Roy Halladay
Toronto Blue Jays
With a Major League Best 22 wins and an unbelievable September ERA, Roy Halladay who went from relative unknown to one of baseball's best young guns gets the nod over Loaiza, who struggled down the stretch.

Eric Gagne
Los Angeles Dodgers
Relievers hardly win the Cy Young. However Gagne is a no-brainer in a year without a dominant starter Gagne was a perfect 55 for 55 in save attempts falling just 2 short of the single season saves record and posting a scant 1.20 ERA.

Jorge Posada
New York Yankees
In a year where there is no MVP front runner the steady consistent play of Jorge Posada gests the nod for his steady play while the Yankees battled through injuries and slumps, Posada was a steady influence all year hitting 30 HR and driving home 102 RBI.

Albert Pujols
St. Louis Cardinals
Threatening to win the Triple Crown all year Albert Pujols won the NL Batting Title while finishing 2nd in HR and 4th in RBI, which should but him at the front of the pack of a crowded MVP field in the NL.

These are not just mere prediction but whom I believe should win the said awards.
Slected by Frank Fleming on Sebtember 29, 2003 at 1:20 am EST