Julio Rodriguez and Michael Harris Win Rookie of the Year Awards
Two of the newest big leaguers and two of the veterans who have been around for a long time, Julio Rodriguez and Michael Harris, have joined the Baseball Hall of Fame on the same day after their great rookie seasons in the majors.
Rodriguez and Harris have been in the big leagues for 21 seasons and played an average of 50 games each.
Rodriguez hit.318 with 22 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 18 stolen bases and 80 runs scored, earning the Rookie of the Year and MVP honors for the Kansas City Royals. He led the National League in fielding percentage and put up impressive numbers all over the field, including a.834 on-base-plus-slugging percentage with 31 doubles, nine home runs, 19 steals and a high of 42 RBI.
Harris, the Dodgers’ first overall selection in the 2003 draft, played in the majors for 14 seasons, including a rookie season in which he hit.297 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI and 29 runs scored.
“It’s amazing,” Harris told the Associated Press before he played his last game in the majors. “It’s amazing how quickly they work their way up and get a little taste of it. It’s also impressive because when you do play, it can take a while. When you first come up, it doesn’t really matter. If you play as long as I have, it’s pretty unbelievable that you were able to be an everyday player from day one.”
Harris has been a member of the Hall of Fame since 2001, the year he made the Dodgers’ opening day roster. He has made the All-Star team three times and is an all-time hitting leader of the Dodgers, batting.311 with 33 home runs and 897 RBI.
Both of the newest inductees are also former Class of 1986 players.
Rodriguez, who is known for his outstanding defensive work, was inducted today by the National League as a member of the 1985 inductees.
Harris was the fifth player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this week.
The Dodgers have nine players with