Gordon Beckham Named AL Rookie of the Year

Yesterday, the Sporting News named Gordon Beckham American League Rookie of the Year after hitting .270 with 28 doubles, 14 home runs and 63 RBI in 103 games. Over a full season, you're talking about a kid on pace to hit 40+ doubles, 20+ home runs and 100+ RBI. Those are disgustingly impressive numbers for a guy that was only in the minors for about 350 days.

As the Chicago Sun-Times points out the Sporting News ROY Award is special because:

A panel of 338 major-league players voted the third baseman The Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year, making Beckham, 23, the ninth rookie in Sox history to be honored by the magazine. Manager Ozzie Guillen last received the honor in 1985.

As a manager, no one keeps it more real than Ozzie Guillen. So when he drops the following quote to the Sun-Times, it is truly enormous praise:

‘‘I wish that kid was a two- or three-year veteran in the big leagues because he has that attitude,’’ Guillen said. ‘‘He has that right frame of mind. He was a leader his whole life from when he was in high school, college. I think he wants to be the face of the franchise, and we need something like that. When a player thinks like that, doesn’t hide in the weeds, you don’t see many players come up from the minor leagues and think that way. It’s a big challenge. But I don’t have a doubt in my mind that he has the right tools to be one. Obviously, it has to come from help from myself, Ken Williams and the staff to make him a great leader.’’

What's next for Gordo? He wants to hit for more power next year, and he'll be hitting the weight room shortly.

PWD