It was 1989. In the ‘Why, not?’ season over thirty
AL Rookie of the Year goes to Gunnar Henderson, an Orioles infielder.
Henderson received all 30 votes for first place, making him the unanimous winner. He becomes the thirteenth AL Rookie of the Year to win with a unanimous vote; the previous winner was Kyle Lewis in 2020. Not only that, but he’s the first Orioles champion to win unanimously.
The 2019 MLB Draft’s 42nd overall selection had a difficult beginning. He recorded his first hit of the season in the fourth game, which also happened to be his first home run. By the end of May, he had five home runs, fourteen RBI, a.332 on-base percentage, a.370 slugging percentage, and a batting average of.201. At times, Gunnar’s attitude was so patient that Birdland questioned whether he would be able to change it.
Okay, as of June 2nd,
years ago, reliever Gregg Olson won the AL Rookie of the Year award. Following that, a number of bright rookies, including Trey Mancini, John Means, and Adley Rutschman, placed among the top three vote-getters.
But all droughts will end; that’s just like life. Following an outstanding 2023 campaign—his first full big league season—Gunnar Henderson wins the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year award. The amazing infielder, who won the Silver Slugger award a week ago, concluded his season with a bang.