American League Delivery Man of the Year

Submitted by:  Dan

The postseason baseball awards will be announced after the conclusion of the World Series, but the selections have, for the most part, already been made.  LeRoy in the Afternoon will begin announcing its picks today and continue until the conclusion of the MLB Postseason.  All picks have been discussed, although not all are unanimous among the LeRoy Crew.  Readers should feel free to voice their opinions, anger, and frustration regarding the picks.  We will continue in the American League.

Today's Pick:  American League Delivery Man of the Year

The American League Delivery Man of the Year is the award given to the league's best relief pitcher.  There are some notable relief pitchers this season.  RHP Rafael Soriano led the league in saves, RHP Joakim Soria turned in a 40-save season, RHP Neftali Feliz had a sensational rookie season, RHP Mariano Rivera was his usual self, and quite a few pitchers had sub-2.00 ERAs and save percentages of 90 % of better.

All are worthy candidates, but the American League Delivery Man of the Year should be:

RHP Andrew Bailey, Oakland Athletics:  Bailey notched 25 saves for second-place Oakland (81-81) despite missing a month in late July and August with an injury.  He led all AL closers in ERA and posted an impressive 89.3% save percentage.  Plus, he's more important in the Bay Area than Soriano in Tampa Bay, Feliz in the Dallas Metroplex, and Rivera in the Bronx.  Soria is big in Kansas City, but Bailey's A's are better and the saves are more important.   It was Bailey which allowed Oakland to trade Huston Street for Matt Holliday.  He has been a beast in the bullpen since his Rookie of the Year campaign and is deserving of recognition.

Coming Tomorrow:  American Silver Slugger Award Winners