Kid Gloves

Sporting News, The, Oct 2, 2000

Plenty of youngsters (and a few not so young) enjoyed strong rookie seasons. THE SPORTING NEWS will name a rookie of the year based on votes of players, while the Baseball Writers' Association of America will pick its own. A look at the top candidates:

American League

Kazuhiro Sasaki, RHP, Mariners (34 saves, 3.43 ERA through Saturday): His 2-5 record sounds horrible, but he set the A.L. rookie record for saves and has a good chance to break the major league rookie record of 36 set by St. Louis' Todd Worrell in 1986. Sasaki has downplayed this feat, saying he cares more about the team record than individual accomplishments. Still, Sasaki deserves credit for starting so well in a new league and a new country. His experience in Japan makes some hesitant to call him a "rookie," but he meets the technical definition and probably will win.

Mark Quinn, OF, Royals (.293, 20 homers, 74 RBIs): He has been called "The Mighty Quinn" only about 67,000 times. "Mighty" might be a stretch, but opponents might wish they hadn't seen anything like him. Quinn might be hampered getting votes because he is the only strong candidate not on a contender. His performance could make him the Royals' second straight Rookie of the Year--Carlos Beltran swept the honors last year.

Terrence Long, OF, A's (.294, 17, 74): He's not short on talent. He'll score 100-plus runs and has done some spectacular work in center field, the spot that was Oakland's biggest question mark at the start of the season. He was leading the A's in hitting with runners in scoring position (.378)--good enough for fourth among all A.L batters. Long might be overshadowed by so many other strong performances in Oakland this year, most notably by fellow rookie of the year candidate Barry Zito.

National League

Rafael Furcal, IF, Braves (.294, 3, 35): He is the team's unofficial chef, and he's cooking up an excellent season. It's hard to emerge as a star playing with guys named Chipper, Maddux and Glavine. But Furcal has put together a strong season at short and second, stealing 38 bases and showing off what might be the strongest arm in the game. Considering the lift he gives the Braves on offense and defense, Furcal should take home the award.

Rick Ankiel, LHP Cardinals (10-7, 3.62): When Ankiel was dumping champagne all over the clubhouse after the Cards clinched the N.L Central, one couldn't help but wonder whether he is old enough to drink it. He is. Barely. He turned 21 in July, but he looks like a seasoned veteran on the mound. He showed how much the pressure affects him by striking out the side in the first inning in the game in which the Cardinals clinched the N.L. Central. Ankiel has terrific stuff, and he has pitched much better than his won-lost record shows. He'll give Furcal a run for the award.

Mitch Meluskey, C, Astros (.312,14, 67): Meluskey is quietly having a great season for a bad team. His offensive numbers are impressive for any catcher, not to mention a rookie. He does better in important situations: His batting average with runners in scoring position with two out is over .400, and his batting average with the bases loaded is .667. But his average with no one on is a paltry .199. He'll probably be an also-ran, though, when put next to Furcal and Ankiel.