Ortiz, Bryant win Hank Aaron Awards
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[October 27, 2016]
CLEVELAND (Reuters) - Veteran
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz and young Cubs power hitter Kris
Bryant were named winners of the 2016 Hank Aaron Awards on Wednesday
as the most outstanding offensive performers in their respective
league.
The awards were handed out by Commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of
Famer Hank Aaron in a news conference before Game Two of the 112th
World Series at Progressive Field between the Chicago Cubs and the
Cleveland Indians.
Bryant was already in the building as a key player with the Cubs,
while Ortiz was ushered in for his first public appearance as a
retired major leaguer.
"David created an extraordinary legacy with the Red Sox. Fans will
never forget his consistent excellence at the plate and his
performances on the game's greatest stages," Manfred said of the
Dominican slugger.
"Kris followed up an award-winning rookie season by helping lead the
Cubs to their best regular season in more than a century. Both David
and Kris are deserving of an honor named for one of the greatest
players and individuals that our game has ever known."
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Ortiz, who turns 41 next month, finishes as a two-time Aaron Award
winner, having also won in 2005.
In the final season of his 20-year major league career, Boston's
designated hitter batted .315 with 38 home runs, 127 RBIs and a .401
on-base percentage.
Bryant, 24, established himself as one of the game's top young
sluggers in his second season.
The versatile third baseman/outfielder, last year's Rookie of the
Year, batted .292 with 39 homers, 102 RBIs, an NL-best 121 runs
scored and eight stolen bases.
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![](../images/102716PICS/sports71.jpg)
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz salutes the fans after
the loss against the Cleveland Indians in game three of the 2016
ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob
DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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Fans voted for the recipients on MLB.com and Twitter, and for the
seventh straight year, a special panel of Hall of Fame players led
by Aaron joined fans in voting.
The Hall of Fame panel included some of baseball's greatest
offensive players, including Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Craig
Biggio, Ken Griffey Jr., Eddie Murray and Robin Yount.
(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Mark
Lamport-Stokes)
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