Twins Announced 2016 Diamond Awards

[Seth Stohs]

This morning, the Twins announced the Baseball Writers of America's Twin Cities Chapter award winners. The Diamond Awards will be presented January 26, 2017. 

 

Brian Dozier wins three awards (MVP, Most Improved, Leadership). 

 

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Twins announced today the recipients of the Diamond Awards, their annual awards for the 2016 season based on voting conducted by the Twin Cities Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. In addition, the Twins and the BBWAA announced plans for the twelfth annual Diamond Awards, which will be held Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Target Field and will benefit research, education and care in brain, nerve and muscle disorders at the University of Minnesota.

                  Second baseman Brian Dozier is the winner of the Calvin R. Griffith Award (the Twins first owner) given to the Most Valuable Twin along with the Charles O. Johnson Award (former Minneapolis Star Tribune Sports Editor) given to the Twins Most Improved Player, and the Bob Allison Award (former Twins Player) given to the Twins player who exemplifies determination, hustle, tenacity, competitive spirit and leadership both on and off the field. Dozier set an American League record by hitting 40 home runs as a second baseman in 2016. He finished the season leading the Twins in games (155), hits (165), runs (104), doubles (35), home runs (42), RBI (99), and OPS (.886), and was second in walks (61), triples (5), and stolen bases (18).

                  Right-handed pitcher Ervin Santana is the winner of the Joseph W. Haynes Award (former Twins Executive Vice President) given to the Twins Pitcher of the Year. Santana started a team-high 30 games this season, posting a 3.38 ERA while leading the team with 149 strikeouts and 181.1 innings pitched. Santana ranked tenth in the American League in ERA.

                  Outfielder Max Kepler is the winner of the Bill Boni Award (former St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press Executive Sports Editor) given to the Twins Most Outstanding Rookie. Kepler led all American League rookies in walks (42), was second in RBI (63), and third in home runs (17). Kepler also set a Twins rookie single-game record with seven RBI July 2 vs. Texas.

                  Outfielder Byron Buxton is the winner of the Jim Kaat Award (former Twins pitcher) for Twins Defensive Player of the Year. Buxton played in 92 games, all as the Twins centerfielder. Buxton committed just four errors in 249 total chances.

                  San Diego Padres’ left-handed pitcher Brad Hand is the winner of the Dick Siebert Award (former University of Minnesota Baseball Coach) given to the Upper Midwest Player of the Year. Hand, who graduated from Chaska High School in Chaska, MN, went 4-4 with a 2.92 ERA in 82 appearances for the Padres this season. He was drafted by Miami in the second round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft and is the fifth non-Twin to win the award in the past 11 seasons.

                  Former Twins Executive Vice President & General Manager Terry Ryan is the winner of the of the Mike Augustin “Media Good Guy” Award (former Pioneer Press Sports Writer). Ryan was originally named the Twins fourth General Manager in 1994 and has been a part of the Twins organization since 1972, when he was drafted by Minnesota out of Parker High School in Janesville, WI.

                  Shortstop Eduardo Escobar is the winner of the Carl R. Pohlad Community Service Award. Escobar appeared in 105 games, posting a .236 (83-for-352) batting average with 14 doubles, two triples and six home runs. In Venezuela, Escobar has created a foundation to give children in need access to food, clothing and sporting equipment.  He also hosts on baseball clinics for youth. In Minneapolis, Escobar has created a ticket program to give free tickets to Spanish-speaking students at Twin Cities schools.  Students from these schools attend Twins games and meet Escobar prior to the game.

                  In addition, Rod Carew, who will be celebrating 40 years since his historic 1977 season in 2017, will be given the Herb Carneal Lifetime Achievement Award. Carew remains active with the Twins organization and much like the most recent winner, Tony Oliva (2013), Rod continues to serve as a franchise ambassador. Carew will join Herb Carneal (2006), Tom Mee (2007), Carl Pohlad (2008), Jerry Bell (2009), Bert Blyleven (2010), John Gordon (2011), Jim Rantz (2012) and Oliva as the only recipients of the award.

                  The twelfth annual Diamond Awards dinner, which will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2017 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Target Field, will honor the 2016 BBWAA award recipients as well as the winners of the Sherry Robertson Award (Zack Granite) for the Twins Minor League Player of the Year, the Jim Rantz Award (Stephen Gonsalves) for the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year and the Kirby Puckett Alumni Community Service Award (Jim “Mudcat” Grant).

                  All proceeds from the event will benefit the University of Minnesota’s innovative research and patient care focused on ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), ataxia, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.  Along with the award winners, current and former Twins players and coaches are scheduled to appear at the event. Corporate sponsorship opportunities, tables and individual tickets are now available.  For more information on the event visit minnesotadiamondawards.org or call (612) 626-4951.

[Seth Stohs]

I'm a big fan of the Diamond Awards... If people get a chance, it is an event worth going to at least once... Plus, the work done is terrific.

[Mike Sixel]

Good winner list!

[Seth Stohs]

Mike Berardino's article: http://www.twincities.com/2016/10/19/minnesota-twins-brian-dozier-heads-list-of-diamond-awards-winners/ 

[Thrylos]

I thought that only current Twins people could get the awards.  Giving one to their former GM who was fired because of incompetence, is borderline pathetic.  Couldn't they find a deserving candidate currently in the team?