Ramirez gets award

Over the American League, Detroit Tigers hard-throwing right-hander Justin Verlander easily captured top rookie honors, becoming the first starting pitcher to win the AL award since New York's Dave Righetti in 1981.

Leading off for the Marlins, Ramirez batted .292 with 46 doubles, 11 triples, 17 home runs, 119 runs scored, 51 stolen bases and 59 RBIs.

The speedy, 22-year-old shortstop is the first NL rookie to score at least 110 runs and steal 50 bases.

Ramirez received 14 first-place votes and 105 total points in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Zimmerman, a third baseman for the Nationals, totaled 10 first-place votes and 101 points.

The four-point difference was the closest NL rookie vote since the current system was adopted in 1980. Prior to 1980, writers voted for one player.

Florida could be an upcoming force in the NL, as All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla finished third in the balloting while team mate Josh Johnson, a pitcher, was fourth.

Verlander, 23, gathered 26 first-place votes and one second to easily outdistance Boston relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, who received 63 points and no first-place votes.

In helping Detroit win the American League crown, Verlander was 17-9 with a 3.63 ERA in 30 starts.

Verlander said he was outside washing his car when the news arrived.

"I was definitely very excited, elated," Verlander said. "It's an honor to be rookie of the year with some of the other guys who have won it."

Verlander said losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series in five games "was a hard pill to swallow" but was excited about the Tigers' future.

"You hate to get so far and not seal the deal," he said.

"Obviously, you don't play for second place. It was definitely disappointing.

"But when it's all said and done, it was one hell of a year. It was an honor to be part of this team. We've got a good foundation with the Tigers. You never know, this could be the start of a dynasty."