SALVO, North Carolina, 9 November 2005 — Oakland Athletics pitcher Huston Street and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard were named major league baseball’s rookies of the year on Monday.
Street won the honor in the American League and Howard received the National League award in voting by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Street, a closer, became the second consecutive Oakland player to win the AL honor. Shortstop Bobby Crosby received the award last year. Street posted a 5-1 record while making 23 saves in 27 opportunities, including all 18 chances after the All-Star Game break. He received 15 of the 28 first-place votes and had 97 total points.
New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano finished second with 57 points. Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes was third (39 points) and Chicago White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi was fourth (30).
Howard received 19 of the 32 first-place NL votes and collected 109 points. He beat out Houston Astros outfielder Willy Taveras (78 points) and Atlanta Braves outfielder Jeff Francouer (60). The left-handed Howard batted .288 and drove in 63 runs in 88 games. He led all first-year players in the majors in homer runs (22), despite not taking over full-time for the injured Jim Thome until July.
