Rivera wins AL Player of the Week
This release from Major League Baseball:
New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera has been named the Bank of America Presents the American League Player of the Week for the period ending June 1st.
In four games last week, Rivera recorded three saves, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out seven. On Saturday, the 38-year-old right-hander recorded his 15th save of the season against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome. The eight-time American League All-Star has converted all 15 save opportunities this season.
The Panama native is currently 1-1 with a 0.36 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 25.0 innings in 2008. This marks Rivera’s first career weekly award honor.
Other nominees considered were Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir (2-0, 0.64 ERA, 16 SO, 14.0 IP), Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton (.280, .720 SLG, 2 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and Rivera’s Yankees teammate, outfielder Johnny Damon (.478, .739 SLG, 3 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI).





Chad Jennings
Sam Borden






Good for Mariano!
And I guess Johnny Damon had himself a nice week, too.
And yet there are people who swear that we should keep Joba in the pen because Mo won’t be great forever.
I guess he won’t be great forever, but he is off to a beautiful start. (and in the first year of a 4 year deal)
“This marks Rivera’s first career weekly award honor.”
That surprises me….but Kazmir should have at least split it with him this week.
Mo’s had a superb year. Be nice to see him close the ASG for an AL win.
“And I guess Johnny Damon had himself a nice week, too”
Guess this means a short reprieve from the “DFA Damonistas”
All of the other players had a better week than Mo in my opinion, but I won’t complain, it’s Mo after all.
kinda sad when four innings of work gets a player of the week award. Saves are overblown.
Mariano for Cy Young this year.
“kinda sad when four innings of work gets a player of the week award. Saves are overblown.”
It is, but two of the saves were of the 1 run variety (so were four of his last five) and all three were on consecutive nights. Those aren’t cheapies.
i agree with ray, everyone on that list is much more deserving, but its Mo, so its all good
“Mariano for Cy Young this year.”
If he didn’t win in ‘05, he never will.
“If he didn’t win in ‘05, he never will.”
A lot of the big AL names are having off seasons. Cliff Lee will hopefully come back to earth.
I’m hoping it becomes one of those votes where they give it to him for a great season in light of the most brilliant career ever at his position.
Also, as he should have won it in 2005, voters may take that into consideration.
Always a long shot with relievers but I’d really like to see him win it.
See if Mariano can do it Ohlendorff,Fransworth and all AA pitchers can do it.
Yeah, Kazmir got ripped off completely.
Saves, although important, arn’t nearly as valuable as quality (or in Kazmir’s case – ridiculous) starts.
Well deserved for Mariano. A class man on and off the field and respected by all.
There are no dominant AL starters this year except for Cliff Lee, and does anyone think Cliff Lee is going to going to maintain a 1.88 ERA? Yup. That’s what I thought.
Mo may not keep a 0.36 ERA either, but I certainly think there’s a good chance he can keep it under 1 or slightly above.
No doubt that Kazmir should have won it….
cy rivera
“This marks Rivera’s first career weekly award honor.”
Really? Wow.
Never realize that. Rock on Mo!
Mariano is G.R.E.A.T. (Greatest Reliever Ever, All-Time)!!!!