Cubs Press Release: National League Monthly Awards

[Chris]

ALBERT PUJOLS OF CARDINALS AND GREG MADDUX OF CUBS

VOTED NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYER AND PITCHER OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL

 

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, who set a Major League record for home runs in April (14) and tied a Cardinals team record for RBI during the month of April (32), and Chicago Cubs right-hander Greg Maddux, who was 5-0 with a 1.35 ERA, have been voted National League Player and Pitcher of the Month of April, respectively.

 

Pujols also led the National League with 27 runs scored, 28 base-on-balls and a .914 slugging percentage. The right-handed slugger batted .346 (28-81) with four doubles, two stolen bases and a .509 on-base percentage. His 32 RBI matched a club record set by Mark McGwire in April 1998. Pujols tallied seven game-winning RBI, a mark that also led the Majors. This is the third career National League Player of the Month Award for Pujols.

 

Maddux started five games, pitched a total of 33.1 innings and allowed 23 hits, one home run and six walks while striking out 24. His five victories were tied for the league best with New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez. Maddux is off to the best start of his illustrious career, having never opened a season with five consecutive victories. He did not allow more than two runs in any of his five appearances. He collected his 323rd career victory, which ranks 15th all-time. He is one win shy of tying Hall of Fame pitchers Don Sutton and Nolan Ryan. This is Maddux’s 10th National League Pitcher of the Month Award, and his first since July 2001.

 

Other pitchers receiving votes were New York’s Pedro Martinez, who was 5-0 with a 2.94 ERA and 33 strikeouts; Cincinnati’s Bronson Arroyo, who was 4-0 with a 2.34 ERA and 30 strikeouts; Houston’s Wandy Rodriguez, who was 4-0 with a 2.53 ERA and 21 strikeouts; and Arizona’s Brandon Webb, who was 4-0 with a 2.22 ERA and 25 strikeouts.

 

Other players who received votes this past month were Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, who hit .348 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI; Giants outfielder Moises Alou, who hit .360 with 7 home runs and 24 RBI; and Colorado outfielder Brad Hawpe, who hit .362 with 7 home runs and 18 RBI.

 

Albert Pujols and Greg Maddux will each receive a specially designed trophy for being voted National League Player and Pitcher of the Month.

 

 

PRINCE FIELDER OF BREWERS VOTED NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL

 

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, who recorded a .344 batting average and hit five home runs during April, has been voted National League Rookie of the Month.

 

Fielder’s batting average and home run totals led all National League rookies for the month. He also led all National League rookies with 33 hits and 53 total bases. Over 21 games he collected 16 RBI, 15 runs scored, five doubles, a .552 slugging percentage, a .400 on-base percentage and added two stolen bases. Prince, the son of former Major League All-Star Cecil Fielder, started 25 games as the Brewers first baseman during the month of April.

 

Other rookies receiving votes included Josh Willingham (.299, 5 HR, 20 RBI) and Hanley Ramirez (.304, 2 HR, 8 RBI) of the Marlins; Taylor Buchholz of the Astros (2-1, 2.05 ERA, 14 SO); Takashi Saito of the Dodgers (2-0, 0.69 ERA, 15 SO); Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals (0-0, 0.77 ERA, 11 SO); and Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals (.242, 4 HR, 17 RBI).

 

Prince Fielder will receive a specially-designed award for being voted National League Rookie of the Month for April.

[soccer10k]

I can't argue with those awards. No surprises there.

[Mizzou]

Wow, Greg's next win will tie him with Nolan Ryan on the all time list. That is pure straight impressive!