A well-deserved accomplishment for our second baseman in his first full big league season. The fashion in which Dustin proved all of his doubters wrong, including yours truly who vowed for another year of Loretta, was well documented throughout the year on this website and with his bat. Congratulations, Dustin, and let’s hope it’s Ellsbury in 2008!
His final numbers: 139 G, 581 PA, 86 R, 165 H, 39 2B, 8 HR, 50 RBI, 47 BB, 42 K, .317/.380/.442, 112 OPS+, 230 TB, 91 RC
Dustin received 24 of the 28 possible first place votes. He was listed second on the remaining ballots to total 132 points. Delmon Young finished in second place with three first-place votes and 56 points total. Claiming the remaining first-place vote was Brian Bannister, who finished third with 36 points. Also receiving votes were Daisuke Matsuzaka (12 points), Reggie Willits (11), Hideki Okajima (3), Josh Fields (1) and Joakim Soria (1).
Ryan Braun took home the honor in the NL, edging Troy Tulowitzki by just two points.