Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Bautista bestowed with Hank Aaron Award – MLB News
Jose Bautista, the Toronto Blue Jays’ slugger became the recipient of the Hank Aaron Award on Monday, October 24 for the second time in his career, joining a select list of very few other players that have earned this distinction.
Held during Game 5 of the World Series being played between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals, the ceremony witnessed thunderous applause when Bautista was named for the prestigious award.
Before him, it was Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez who had gotten a nomination and subsequent designation of the award twice. Jose Bautista now joins the club of winners which was essentially a tribute to honour the 25th anniversary of Aaron breaking
Babe Ruth’s home-run record established in 1999.
Paying glowing tribute to Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays, Commissioner Bud Selig recounted how the player performed brilliantly at the plate, having led Major League Baseball from slugging to walks to most importantly, home-runs.
"There were a lot of players this year who had very productive seasons, but Jose and Matt stood out," Selig said. "I congratulate [them] on being this year's recipients of the 2011 Hank Aaron Award, named for one of the true pillars of our game.”
The other award recipient was Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers who maintained a .324 average with the bat, having hit 39 home-runs in the season. Bud Selig complimented him as well for being the aspirant of National League Triple Crown with his great
performance.
Bautista was cheerfully delighted for the honour bestowed upon him.
"It's a great honor to receive this award. Like I said last year, Mr. Aaron represents the epitome of consistency throughout a Major League career, and he managed to do that while hitting a lot of home runs," Bautista said.
Bautista had won the American League Award last year for his amazing performance of having had 54 homers to his credit. Having a career best .302 average in the regular season, his performance deserved the honour that he got last night.
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