Aramis Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis win 2008 Aaron award
Sports Network | October 26, 2008
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced on Sunday that Aramis Ramirez of the Chicago Cubs and Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox are the winners of the 2008 Hank Aaron Award, as voted on by the fans.
The award, introduced in 1999 to honor the 25th anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record, recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each league.
Ramirez batted .289 with 97 runs scored, a career-high 44 doubles, 27 home runs, a club-high 111 RBI, a career-best .380 on-base percentage and a .518 slugging percentage. The third baseman's 74 walks also marked a career-high. It was the sixth season of 100 or more RBI in his career.
Youkilis set career-highs with a .312 batting average, 168 hits, 43 doubles, and club-high totals of 29 home runs and 115 RBI.
Past winners include Sammy Sosa and Manny Ramirez (1999); Todd Helton and Carlos Delgado (2000); Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez (2001, 2002); Albert Pujols and Rodriguez (2003); Bonds and Manny Ramirez (2004); Andruw Jones and David Ortiz (2005); Ryan Howard and Derek Jeter (2006); and Prince Fielder and Rodriguez (2007).
