Cubs' Soto, Rays' Longoria Named Top Rookies

Both win easily, with Tampa star a unanimous choice in AL

By Will McCahill, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2008 2:04 PM CST

(Newser) – Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto and Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria were named the rookies of the year today in the National and American leagues, respectively. Soto, 25, was voted an All-Star Game starter and finished the season with a .285 batting average, 23 home runs, and 86 RBI, the Tribune reports. He easily beat out Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto.

Longoria, 23, was a unanimous choice for the AL award despite missing 30 games due to a wrist injury, the St. Petersburg Times reports. He was the top rookie in home runs and led the Rays not only to their first winning season but to the World Series, in which they fell to Philadelphia. Chicago White Sox second baseman Alexei Ramirez was second.

Catcher Geovany Soto, who helped the Chicago Cubs win the National League Central title, got 31 of 32 first-place votes to win the league's rookie-of-the-year award. (AP Photo)

Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto beat Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto to win the National League's rookie-of-the-year award. (AP Photo)

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto finished a distant second in rookie-of-the-year voting. (AP Photo)

Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria was the runaway choice as American League rookie of the year. (AP Photo)

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Cubs' Soto, Rays' Longoria Named Top Rookies

Both win easily, with Tampa star a unanimous choice in AL

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Red Sox Miss Playoffs After 'Worst Collapse Ever'

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Matt Garza Gives Rays 1st No-Hitter

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Oakland ace tosses majors' 19th perfecto

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Critics say face-value tickets should count as a gift

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Cubs' Soto, Rays' Longoria Named Top Rookies

Both win easily, with Tampa star a unanimous choice in AL

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Red Sox Miss Playoffs After 'Worst Collapse Ever'

Last-day losses cap miserable month for Red Sox, Braves

Rangers Rein In Giants, 4-2

First Series win in franchise history

Matt Garza Gives Rays 1st No-Hitter

It's the first such gem in Rays' history

Dallas Braden Pitches Perfect Game for A's

Oakland ace tosses majors' 19th perfecto

Lawmakers Get Sweet Deal on World Series Tix

Critics say face-value tickets should count as a gift

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