Local BBWAA Names Twins Award Winners

The Twin Cities local chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America named its annual Twins Diamond Award winners, as reported by chapter member Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune. They are:

Team MVP: Joe Mauer
Pitcher of the Year: Carl Pavano
Most Improved: Delmon Young
Most Outstanding Rookie: Danny Valencia
Upper Midwest Player of the Year: Mauer
Bob Allison Award (determination, hustle, tenacity, leadership): Michael Cuddyer
Media Good Guy: Cuddyer

Minor League Player of the Year: Joe Benson
Minor League Pitcher of the Year: Kyle Gibson
Carl Pohlad Community Service Award: Jesse Crain
Kirby Puckett Alumni Service Award: Bert Blyleven

It's hard to argue too much with any of these picks, though I think you could make a case for Jim Thome as MVP and Francisco Liriano or Brian Duensing as Pitcher of the Year, if you really wanted to.

No word on some other awards that I feel need to be handed out, so allow me to do the honors:

Best Male Ornamentation: Carl Pavano
Worst Male Ornamentation: Drew Butera
Player Who Stole The Most Money This Year: Brendan Harris

On January 27, the Twins will hold their annual banquet to hand out these awards, with proceeds going to benefit University of Minnesota health research.