[Pugs]

Yankee outfielder Hideki Matsui lost the Rookie of The Year by a few votes. The question has come up as to what is the definition of a rookie? If playing here in the Majors is the highest you can go than how can he not be considered a rookie? And if you don't think of him as a rookie than aren't you saying the the Japanese league and other professional leagues are just as good as Major League Baseball.
Any comments?

PS This is not a Yankee question. This is a baseball question.


Peace.

Pugs

 

[JOHN G]

there are actual numbers to confirm what a rookie is: someone who hasn't played more than a specific number of games or innings or at bats so far in the Major leagues......so there shouldn't be any controversy


Steinbrenner brought up a great point: the award was created in the spirit of Jackie Robertson....

Jackie Robertson came from the Negroe leagues which were considered to be on a par talent wise with Major league Baseball....no different than Matsui coming from Japan leagues.....

 

[Bink]

To lose your rookie status you have to have pitched like 60 innings or 200 Ab over so much time in the major leagues I think it's three years time. I think Baldelli from Tampa should have won it but he fininshed a distant third. If a guy spends 7 years in AAA than gets his big chance and hits .336 56Hr 145Rbi he should be Rookie of the year never mind his age might be higher than the avg rook and the 7 years of high minor league ball. IMHO AAA is real close to baseball in Japan and if given the chance some of those players would have come here earlier. I'm sorry the only reason Mr. Steinbrenner is saying that is becuase it is one of his players and he always feels everyone is against him in most every instance, of course he must have felt a little Ok because the winner was from another country and he's all about equality.