Choo and closer Chris Perez were nominated for the top player award, recently changed to honor Bob Feller. Choo won easily in a vote of the writers.
View full sizeShin-Soo Choo easily claimed his second consecutive award as Indians player of the year in a vote by the Tribe's beat writers.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shin-Soo Choo has won his second straight Man of the Year award from Cleveland's Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. The award has been renamed the Bob Feller Man of the Year award in honor of the Indians' franchise leader in victories.
Manager Manny Acta, after his first year on the job, received the Frank Gibbons-Steve Olin Good Guy award.
Since the inception of the Man of the Year award in 1946, Choo is only the fifth player to win it in consecutive years and only the third to do so outright. The two other players to win the award outright were Carlos Baerga (1991-1992) and Mike Hargrove (1980-1981). Manny Ramirez won it in 1998 and shared the award in 1999 with Robbie Alomar. Sam McDowell won it in 1969 and shared it with Ray Fosse in 1970.
The Man of the Year award is symbolic of the Indians' best player. Choo and closer Chris Perez were nominated, but Choo won easily in a vote of the writers.
Choo led the Indians in batting average (.300), doubles (31), homers (22), RBI (90), runs (81), hits (165), walks (83), OPS (.885) and steals (20). Not bad on a team that lost 93 games and finished 25th in batting average, 26th in runs and 17th in on-base percentage in the big leagues.
He led all right fielders in the AL in assists. This winter, Choo is eligible for arbitration and the Indians are trying to sign him to a multiyear deal.
Acta is what the Good Guy award is all about. It goes to the player or member of the staff or front office that understands the media's job and provides help on a daily basis. All managers talk to reporters at least twice a day during the season, but some can make it difficult. Acta was always positive, quotable and kept his sense of humor in a trying season.
Shelley Duncan and Chris Perez were nominated for the award as well.
Choo and Acta will receive plaques in honor of the awards.
The writers, in conjunction with the Indians, are also planning to recognize Feller by adorning in a special manner the seat where he's always sat in the Progressive Field press box. Last week Feller, 92, entered hospice after being diagnosed with leukemia in August.