From 1947 through 1956, each BBWAA voter used discretion as to
who qualified as a rookie. In 1957, the term was first defined as
someone with less than 75 at
bats or 45 innings pitched in any previous Major
League season.[1]
This guideline was later amended to 90 at bats, 45 innings pitched,
or 45 days on a Major League roster before September 1 of the
previous year.[1]
The current standard of 130 at bats, 50 innings pitched or 45 days
on the active roster of a Major League club (excluding time in military
service or on the disabled list) before September 1 was
adopted in 1971.[1][7] Since
1980, each voter names three rookies: a first-place choice is given
five points, a second-place choice three points, and a third-place
choice one point. The award goes to the player who receives the
most overall points.[1][8]
Edinson
Volquez received three second-place votes in 2008 balloting
despite no longer being a rookie under the award's definition.[9][10]
The award has drawn criticism in recent years because several
players with experience in Nippon Professional
Baseball (NPB) have won the award, such as Hideo Nomo in 1995, Kazuhiro Sasaki
in 2000, and Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. The current definition of
rookie status for the award is based only on Major League
experience, but some feel that past NPB players are not true
rookies because of their past professional experience.[11][12]
This issue arose in 2003 when Hideki Matsui narrowly lost the AL award
to Ángel
Berroa. Jim Souhan
of the Minneapolis
Star Tribune said he did not see Matsui as a rookie in
2003 because "it would be an insult to the Japanese league to
pretend that experience didn't count."[11]
The Japan
Times ran a story in 2007 on the labeling of Daisuke
Matsuzaka, Kei
Igawa, and Hideki Okajima as rookies, saying
"[t]hese guys aren't rookies."[12]
Past winners such as Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe, and Sam Jethroe had
professional experience in the Negro Leagues.
| Year |
Player |
Team |
Position |
Selected statistics |
Ref |
| 1949 |
Sievers, RoyRoy Sievers |
St.
Louis Browns |
OF |
|
[15] |
| 1950 |
Dropo, WaltWalt Dropo |
Boston Red
Sox |
1B |
|
[16] |
| 1951 |
McDougald, GilGil McDougald |
New York
Yankees |
3B |
|
[17] |
| 1952 |
Byrd, HarryHarry Byrd |
Philadelphia Athletics |
P |
|
[18] |
| 1953 |
Kuenn, HarveyHarvey Kuenn |
Detroit
Tigers |
SS |
|
[19] |
| 1954 |
Grim, BobBob Grim |
New York
Yankees |
P |
|
[20] |
| 1955 |
Score, HerbHerb Score |
Cleveland Indians |
P |
|
[21] |
| 1956 |
Aparicio,
LuisLuis
Aparicio† |
Chicago
White Sox |
SS |
|
[22] |
| 1957 |
Kubek, TonyTony Kubek |
New York
Yankees |
SS |
|
[23] |
| 1958 |
Pearson, AlbieAlbie Pearson |
Washington
Senators |
OF |
|
[24] |
| 1959 |
Allison, BobBob Allison |
Washington
Senators |
OF |
|
[25] |
| 1960 |
Hansen, RonRon Hansen |
Baltimore Orioles |
SS |
|
[26] |
| 1961 |
Schwall, DonDon Schwall |
Boston Red
Sox |
P |
|
[27] |
| 1962 |
Tresh, TomTom Tresh |
New York
Yankees |
SS |
|
[28] |
| 1963 |
Peters, GaryGary Peters |
Chicago
White Sox |
P |
|
[29] |
| 1964 |
Oliva, TonyTony Oliva |
Minnesota
Twins |
OF |
|
[30] |
| 1965 |
Blefary, CurtCurt Blefary |
Baltimore Orioles |
OF |
|
[31] |
| 1966 |
Agee, TommieTommie Agee |
Chicago
White Sox |
OF |
|
[32] |
| 1967 |
Carew,
RodRod Carew† |
Minnesota
Twins |
2B |
|
[33] |
| 1968 |
Bahnsen, StanStan Bahnsen |
New York
Yankees |
P |
|
[34] |
| 1969 |
Piniella, LouLou Piniella |
Kansas
City Royals |
OF |
|
[35] |
| 1970 |
Munson, ThurmanThurman Munson |
New York
Yankees |
C |
|
[36] |
| 1971 |
Chambliss, ChrisChris Chambliss |
Cleveland Indians |
1B |
|
[37] |
| 1972 |
Fisk,
CarltonCarlton
Fisk† |
Boston Red
Sox |
C |
|
[38] |
| 1973 |
Bumbry, AlAl Bumbry |
Baltimore Orioles |
OF |
|
[39] |
| 1974 |
Hargrove, MikeMike Hargrove |
Texas Rangers |
1B |
|
[40] |
| 1975 |
Lynn, FredFred Lynn |
Boston Red
Sox |
OF |
|
[41] |
| 1976 |
Fidrych, MarkMark Fidrych |
Detroit
Tigers |
P |
|
[42] |
| 1977 |
Murray,
EddieEddie
Murray† |
Baltimore Orioles |
DH |
|
[43] |
| 1978 |
Whitaker, LouLou Whitaker |
Detroit
Tigers |
2B |
|
[44] |
| 1979* |
Castino, JohnJohn Castino |
Minnesota
Twins |
3B |
|
[45] |
| 1979* |
Griffin, AlfredoAlfredo Griffin |
Toronto
Blue Jays |
SS |
|
[46] |
| 1980 |
Charboneau, JoeJoe Charboneau |
Cleveland Indians |
OF |
|
[47] |
| 1981 |
Righetti, DaveDave Righetti |
New York
Yankees |
P |
|
[48] |
| 1982 |
Ripken,
CalCal Ripken,
Jr.† |
Baltimore Orioles |
SS |
|
[49] |
| 1983 |
Kittle, RonRon Kittle |
Chicago
White Sox |
OF |
|
[50] |
| 1984 |
Davis, AlvinAlvin Davis |
Seattle
Mariners |
1B |
|
[51] |
| 1985 |
Guillén, OzzieOzzie Guillén |
Chicago
White Sox |
SS |
|
[52] |
| 1986 |
Canseco, JoséJosé
Canseco |
Oakland
Athletics |
OF |
|
[53] |
| 1987 |
McGwire, MarkMark McGwire |
Oakland
Athletics |
1B |
|
[54] |
| 1988 |
Weiss, WaltWalt Weiss |
Oakland
Athletics |
SS |
|
[55] |
| 1989 |
Olson, GreggGregg Olson |
Baltimore Orioles |
P |
|
[56] |
| 1990 |
Alomar Jr, SandySandy Alomar
Jr |
Cleveland Indians |
C |
|
[57] |
| 1991 |
Knoblauch, ChuckChuck Knoblauch |
Minnesota
Twins |
2B |
|
[58] |
| 1992 |
Listach, PatPat Listach |
Milwaukee Brewers |
SS |
|
[59] |
| 1993 |
Salmon, TimTim Salmon |
California Angels |
OF |
|
[60] |
| 1994 |
Hamelin, BobBob Hamelin |
Kansas
City Royals |
DH |
|
[61] |
| 1995 |
Cordova, MartyMarty Cordova |
Minnesota
Twins |
OF |
|
[62] |
| 1996 |
Jeter,
DerekDerek
Jeter^ |
New York
Yankees |
SS |
|
[63] |
| 1997 |
Garciaparra,
NomarNomar
Garciaparra^ |
Boston Red
Sox |
SS |
|
[64] |
| 1998 |
Grieve, BenBen Grieve |
Oakland
Athletics |
OF |
|
[65] |
| 1999 |
Beltrán,
CarlosCarlos
Beltrán^ |
Kansas
City Royals |
OF |
|
[66] |
| 2000 |
Sasaki, KazuhiroKazuhiro Sasaki |
Seattle
Mariners |
P |
|
[67] |
| 2001 |
Suzuki,
IchiroIchiro
Suzuki^ |
Seattle
Mariners |
OF |
|
[68] |
| 2002 |
Hinske,
EricEric
Hinske^ |
Toronto
Blue Jays |
3B |
|
[69] |
| 2003 |
Berroa,
AngelAngel
Berroa^ |
Kansas
City Royals |
SS |
|
[70] |
| 2004 |
Crosby,
BobbyBobby
Crosby^ |
Oakland
Athletics |
SS |
|
[71] |
| 2005 |
Street,
HustonHuston
Street^ |
Oakland
Athletics |
P |
|
[72] |
| 2006 |
Verlander,
JustinJustin
Verlander^ |
Detroit
Tigers |
P |
|
[73] |
| 2007 |
Pedroia,
DustinDustin
Pedroia^ |
Boston Red
Sox |
2B |
|
[74] |
| 2008 |
Longoria,
EvanEvan
Longoria^ |
Tampa Bay
Rays |
3B |
|
[75] |
| 2009 |
Andrew Bailey^ |
Oakland
Athletics |
P |
|
[76] |
| Year |
Player |
Team |
Position |
Selected statistics |
Ref |
| 1949 |
Newcombe, DonDon Newcombe |
Brooklyn Dodgers |
P |
|
[77] |
| 1950 |
Jethroe, SamSam Jethroe |
Boston
Braves |
OF |
|
[78] |
| 1951 |
Mays,
WillieWillie
Mays† |
New York Giants |
OF |
|
[79] |
| 1952 |
Black, JoeJoe Black |
Brooklyn Dodgers |
P |
|
[80] |
| 1953 |
Gilliam, JimJim Gilliam |
Brooklyn Dodgers |
2B |
|
[81] |
| 1954 |
Moon, WallyWally Moon |
St.
Louis Cardinals |
OF |
|
[82] |
| 1955 |
Virdon, BillBill Virdon |
St.
Louis Cardinals |
OF |
|
[83] |
| 1956 |
Robinson,
FrankFrank
Robinson† |
Cincinnati
Reds |
OF |
|
[84] |
| 1957 |
Sanford, JackJack Sanford |
Philadelphia Phillies |
P |
|
[85] |
| 1958 |
Cepeda,
OrlandoOrlando
Cepeda† |
San Francisco Giants |
1B |
|
[86] |
| 1959 |
McCovey,
WillieWillie
McCovey† |
San Francisco Giants |
1B |
|
[87] |
| 1960 |
Howard, FrankFrank Howard |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
OF |
|
[88] |
| 1961 |
Williams,
BillyBilly
Williams† |
Chicago
Cubs |
OF |
|
[89] |
| 1962 |
Hubbs, KenKen Hubbs |
Chicago
Cubs |
2B |
|
[90] |
| 1963 |
Rose, PetePete Rose |
Cincinnati
Reds |
2B |
|
[91] |
| 1964 |
Allen, DickDick Allen |
Philadelphia Phillies |
3B |
|
[92] |
| 1965 |
Lefebvre, JimJim Lefebvre |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
2B |
|
[93] |
| 1966 |
Helms, TommyTommy Helms |
Cincinnati
Reds |
2B |
|
[94] |
| 1967 |
Seaver,
TomTom
Seaver† |
New York
Mets |
P |
|
[95] |
| 1968 |
Bench,
JohnnyJohnny
Bench† |
Cincinnati
Reds |
C |
|
[96] |
| 1969 |
Sizemore, TedTed Sizemore |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
2B |
|
[97] |
| 1970 |
Morton, CarlCarl Morton |
Montreal Expos |
P |
|
[98] |
| 1971 |
Williams, EarlEarl
Williams |
Atlanta
Braves |
C |
|
[99] |
| 1972 |
Matlack, JonJon Matlack |
New York
Mets |
P |
|
[100] |
| 1973 |
Matthews, GaryGary Matthews |
San Francisco Giants |
OF |
|
[101] |
| 1974 |
McBride, BakeBake McBride |
St.
Louis Cardinals |
OF |
|
[102] |
| 1975 |
Montefusco, JohnJohn Montefusco |
San Francisco Giants |
P |
|
[103] |
| 1976* |
Metzger, ButchButch Metzger |
San Diego
Padres |
P |
|
[104] |
| 1976* |
Zachry, PatPat Zachry |
Cincinnati
Reds |
P |
|
[105] |
| 1977 |
Dawson, AndreAndre Dawson |
Montreal Expos |
OF |
|
[106] |
| 1978 |
Horner, BobBob Horner |
Atlanta
Braves |
3B |
|
[107] |
| 1979 |
Sutcliffe, RickRick Sutcliffe |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
P |
|
[108] |
| 1980 |
Howe, SteveSteve Howe |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
P |
|
[109] |
| 1981 |
Valenzuela, FernandoFernando
Valenzuela |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
P |
|
[110] |
| 1982 |
Sax, SteveSteve Sax |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
2B |
|
[111] |
| 1983 |
Strawberry, DarrylDarryl Strawberry |
New York
Mets |
OF |
|
[112] |
| 1984 |
Gooden, DwightDwight Gooden |
New York
Mets |
P |
|
[113] |
| 1985 |
Coleman, VinceVince
Coleman |
St.
Louis Cardinals |
OF |
|
[114] |
| 1986 |
Worrell, ToddTodd Worrell |
St.
Louis Cardinals |
P |
|
[115] |
| 1987 |
Santiago, BenitoBenito Santiago |
San Diego
Padres |
C |
|
[116] |
| 1988 |
Sabo, ChrisChris Sabo |
Cincinnati
Reds |
3B |
|
[117] |
| 1989 |
Walton, JeromeJerome Walton |
Chicago
Cubs |
OF |
|
[118] |
| 1990 |
Justice, DavidDavid Justice |
Atlanta
Braves |
OF |
|
[119] |
| 1991 |
Bagwell, JeffJeff Bagwell |
Houston
Astros |
1B |
|
[120] |
| 1992 |
Karros, EricEric Karros |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
1B |
|
[121] |
| 1993 |
Piazza, MikeMike Piazza |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
C |
|
[122] |
| 1994 |
Mondesí, RaúlRaúl Mondesí |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
OF |
|
[123] |
| 1995 |
Nomo, HideoHideo Nomo |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
P |
|
[124] |
| 1996 |
Hollandsworth, ToddTodd
Hollandsworth |
Los
Angeles Dodgers |
OF |
|
[125] |
| 1997 |
Rolen,
ScottScott
Rolen^ |
Philadelphia Phillies |
3B |
|
[126] |
| 1998 |
Wood,
KerryKerry
Wood^ |
Chicago
Cubs |
P |
|
[127] |
| 1999 |
Williamson,
ScottScott
Williamson^ |
Cincinnati
Reds |
P |
|
[128] |
| 2000 |
Furcal,
RafaelRafael
Furcal^ |
Atlanta
Braves |
SS |
|
[129] |
| 2001 |
Pujols,
AlbertAlbert
Pujols^ |
St.
Louis Cardinals |
1B |
|
[130] |
| 2002 |
Jennings,
JasonJason
Jennings^ |
Colorado
Rockies |
P |
|
[131] |
| 2003 |
Willis,
DontrelleDontrelle
Willis^ |
Florida
Marlins |
P |
|
[132] |
| 2004 |
Bay,
JasonJason
Bay^ |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
OF |
|
[133] |
| 2005 |
Howard,
RyanRyan
Howard^ |
Philadelphia Phillies |
1B |
|
[134] |
| 2006 |
Ramirez,
HanleyHanley
Ramirez^ |
Florida
Marlins |
SS |
|
[135] |
| 2007 |
Braun,
RyanRyan
Braun^ |
Milwaukee Brewers |
3B |
|
[136] |
| 2008 |
Soto,
GeovanyGeovany
Soto^ |
Chicago
Cubs |
C |
|
[137] |
| 2009 |
Coghlan,
ChrisChris
Coghlan^ |
Florida
Marlins |
OF |
|
[138] |