Aaron Judge headlines NY baseball writers' dinner in Manhattan
The Yankees' Aaron Judge looks on at his re-signing press conference at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 21, 2022. Credit: Corey Sipkin
At this rate, Aaron Judge might have to use some of that $360 million to build a new wing for all of his awards.
Fresh off hitting an American League-record 62 home runs, inking a nine-year mega-contract with the Yankees and earning AL MVP honors, Judge on Saturday headlined the New York chapter’s 98th annual Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner, which was held in midtown Manhattan after a two-year COVID hiatus.
“This past year showed me no matter what you’re trying to accomplish or whatever you’re going through, you’re never alone,” Judge said. “I cannot thank you enough for every high and every low moment . . . Tonight is an honor.”
In addition to being presented his MVP trophy, Judge took home the Joe DiMaggio “Toast of the Town” award (for the player who most captured the city’s attention) along with Sid Mercer/Dick Young New York player of the year accolades.
Heavy local presence
Winners also were presented their Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year awards.
That made for a heavy local presence, thanks to Justin Verlander, who collected his AL Cy Young Award, and Buck Showalter, the NL manager of the year.
Local chapter honorees included Anthony Rizzo, who took home the Joan Payson/Shannon Forde Community Service award thanks to his work with the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which raises money for cancer research.
The former Roberto Clemente Award winner was diagnosed with limited state classical Hodgkin lymphoma in 2008 and lost his grandmother to breast cancer shortly after going into remission.
Diaz wins ‘Good Guy’ award
Mets closer Edwin Diaz was recognized with the Ben Epstein/Dan Castellano “Good Guy” award, given to a player for courteousness with the media — a nod to how Diaz never shied away from interviews even in seasons when he struggled.
Astros rookie Jeremy Pena earned Babe Ruth postseason MVP honors after the rookie slashed .345/.367/.638 en route to a championship.
The Cardinals’ Albert Pujols earned the William Slocum/Jack Lang Long & Meritorious Service award.
The Arthur and Milton Richman “You Gotta Have Heart” award was given to the New York Post’s Mike Vaccaro and Mets broadcaster Howie Rose, both of whom persevered through significant health issues.
Other honorees included MLB statistician Sarah Langs with the Casey Stengel “You Could Look it Up” award. Langs, 29, who recently disclosed that she has ALS, was feted for her significant contributions to baseball research.
The SNY trio of Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling received the “Willie, Mickey and the Duke’’ award, presented to a group linked in baseball history.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
