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Lincecum takes home his second Cy

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Tim Lincecum was named the NL Cy Young Award winner today, becoming the first pitcher to win back-to-back Cys since Randy Johnson won four in a row from ’99-’02. He narrowly beat out a pair of Cardinals for the award, as just ten points separated Lincecum, Adam Wainwright, and Chris Carpenter. Wainwright, who finished third in the voting, actually received the most first place votes (12).

Lincecum is arbitration eligible as a Super Two this offseason, and he’s won the Cy in each of his two full seasons. Get ready for the greatest arbitration case in the history of the universe.

Girardi finishes third in Manager of the Year voting

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Yankees manager Joe Girardi received 4 first place votes, 3 second place votes, and 5 third place votes in the Manager of the Year voting, finishing third behind winner Mike Scioscia and runner up Ron Gardenhire. Ironically enough, Girardi’s team beat both Gardenhire’s team and Scioscia’s team on its march to the World Championship.

Jim Tracy took home NL honors in a landslide.

Greinke takes home the Cy Young

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Both the AL MVP and AL Cy Young are pretty obvious picks this year, and half of those awards were made official today. Royals’ righthander Zack Greinke was named the AL Cy Young Award winner, beating out Felix Hernandez in a landslide. Greinke’s season was simply off the charts: 242 K in 229.1 IP, 2.16 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 2.81 tRA. His 9.4 WAR was by the far the most in baseball this year (Ben Zobrist was second with 8.6), and it was the best mark put up by a pitcher since Randy Johnson went for 9.9 WAR back in 2004. Congrats to Zack, there really wasn’t much of a debate here.

In a normal year, CC Sabathia might have gotten more consideration, but thanks to the phenomenal seasons put forth by Greinke, Justin Verlander, and Felix Hernandez, he finished fourth (two second place votes, seven third place votes). It’s all cool though, Sabathia added something to his resume this season that none of those guys have.

Bailey, Coghlan named Rookies of the Year

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New Jersey product and Oakland Athletic Andrew Bailey was named the AL Rookie of the Year this afternoon, while Chris Coghlan of the Marlins took home NL honors. Bailey took over the closer’s job after Huston Street was dealt and posted a ridiculous 238 ERA+ with a 0.88 WHIP. Coghlan hit .321 and led the majors with 113 hits in the second half.

Elvis Andrus and Rick Porcello came in second and third, respectively, in the Junior Circuit while J.A. Happ trailed behind Coghlan in the NL voting. None of the Yanks’ rooks – Brett Gardner, Al Aceves, etc – took home any votes.

2009 Minor League Awards

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It feels like just yesterday, but it’s already been five months since Juan Miranda started the season off with a bang. The Yankees dealt with their usual rash of injuries in the minors and more than their fair share of disappointments, but they also enjoyed some breakout seasons as well. The six stateside affiliates combined for a 381-309 record this season, making it at least the 18th consecutive season the affiliates have combined for an over .500 record.

Remember, this isn’t a ranking of prospects. It’s just a post intended to recognize those players in the minors who put together exceptional seasons, regardless of age, prospect status, etc. In order to keep things fresh, the player who won the MiL Player of the Year Award was ineligible to win the Hitter/Pitcher of the Year Award, like I’ve aways done it.

Because looking back in the past is always fun, here are my 2007 and 2008 awards posts. Unfortunately, my 2006 awards post has been lost in MVN purgatory. If you have any praise or complaints, you know where to stick them. The good stuff starts after the jump.

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Gardner takes home 2009 Dawson Award

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Via PeteAbe, new center fielder Brett Gardner was named this year’s winner of the James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the most outstanding rookie in Yankees’ Spring Training camp. He’ll be honored before tomorrow’s game against the Phillies, the Yanks’ final game in Florida of the preseason. Let’s hope things go better for Gardner than they have for the previous winners, which includes Shelley Duncan, Kei Igawa, Eric Duncan and Bubba Crosby.

Update by Ben: While we’re on the subject of Spring Training awards, MLB announced today that the Yankees along with the Astros have captured the Bobby Murcer Award. The Yanks earned these honors by donating the most money in the A.L. to the Baseball Assistance team, an organization devoted to ensuring the financial security of former baseball players and coaches. B.A.T. raised $1.5 million this spring, an increase of nearly seven percent over last year. For more on B.A.T., check out its website.

Russo finalist for Stenson Award

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Kevin Russo is one of six finalists for this year’s Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award in the Arizona Fall League. The award was created to honor the late Dernell Stenson, an ex-Reds & Red Sox prospect who was murdered during a car jacking while playing in the AzFL back in 2003, and is given to the player who best exemplifies unselfishness, hard work and leadership. The winner of the league’s most prestigous award will be announced prior to tonight’s Peoria-Scottsdale game.