Feb
Today Homage wishes a happy 33rd birthday to Miami Heat small forward Mike Miller. The 2001 Rookie of the Year and 2006 Sixth Man of the Year won his first NBA title in 2012.
Nov
On November 28th 1963, recently-signed Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss was born in Tuxedo, New York. The ‘88 American League Rookie of the Year was the 12th overall pick in the ’85 draft and helped lead the ‘89 Oakland A’s to the franchise’s first pennant since 1974.
Nov
On this day in 1987, Oakland A’s first baseman Mark McGwire was named American League Rookie of the Year after hitting .289 with 49 home runs and 118 RBI.
Oct
Today Homage wishes a happy 22nd birthday to Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, who averaged 10.6 points and 8.2 assists and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting despite only playing half of the 2011-12 season.
Sep
Celebrating his 45th birthday today is former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott. In 1989, Abbott posted a 12-12 record with a 3.92 ERA and finished fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, all without having pitched one minor league game.
Jun
On June 7th 1933, former Indians and White Sox pitcher Herb Score was born in Rosedale, New York. The 1955 American League Rookie of the Year, Score struck out 245 batters in his rookie year, a record that stood until 1984.
Jun
32 years ago today, the New York Mets drafted Darryl Strawberry with the first overall draft pick. The 6’6” outfielder was the National League Rookie of the Year in ’83, batting .257 with 26 home runs and 74 RBI.
Apr
35 years ago today, Baltimore Orioles rookie Eddie Murray hit the first of his 504 career home runs. Murray played in 160 games during the ’77 season, batting .283, with 27 home runs and 88 RBI, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award.
Dec
On December 2nd 1981, Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela won the National League Rookie of the Year award. The lefthander finished the season 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA and led the league in strikeouts, becoming the only pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award in the same season.
