Giants' Posey, Rangers' Feliz picked as Rookies of the Year

NEW YORK — San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey and Texas Rangers closing pitcher Neftali Feliz were named as Major League Baseball's rookies of the year on Monday, two weeks after having faced each other in the World Series. Posey singled off Feliz as the Giants beat Texas in the clinching Game 5 of the World Series. "It's hard to believe it's been two weeks," Posey said. Posey hit several key home runs late in the season and helped the Giants win the World Series for the first time since 1954. He easily outdistanced Atlanta outfielder Jason Heyward for the National League award. Feliz, the rocket-armed right-hander who set a rookie record with 40 saves as Texas reached its first World Series, finished far ahead of Detroit center fielder Austin Jackson for the American League honor. "I hope it's not a fluke. I hope I have a better season next year," the 22-year-old Dominican reliever said through a translator on a conference call. Promoted from the minor leagues on May 29, Posey quickly adjusted to the big leagues — both at the plate and behind it. The 23-year-old hit .305 with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs. He homered eight times after Sept. 1 in leading the Giants to the NL West title, and his homer on the final day of the regular season helped them clinch the division. Posey was picked first on 20 of 32 ballots in voting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Voting was done by two members of the BBWAA in every league city after the regular season, with each person listing three players. Born Gerald Dempsey Posey III, the nickname "Buster" runs in his family. He acknowledged he was wondering about the outcome. "I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't think about it," he said on a conference call. Feliz got 20 first-place votes and was listed on all 28 ballots. He drew seven seconds and one third. Posey hit third and even cleanup for the Giants as they brought the championship to San Francisco for the first time. He was equally praised for handling a pitching staff that seemed to get better throughout the postseason. "How rare and amazing it is to have a rookie catcher lead a team to a World Series championship," Giants managing partner Bill Neukom said. In fact, the last rookie catcher to play for a World Series winner was in 1966 with Baltimore's Andy Etchebarren. – AP