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Josh Willingham and Scott Diamond were big winners when Minnesota members of the Baseball Writers Association of America voted on team awards for the Twins' 2012 season. The "Diamond Awards" were announced Tuesday afternoon, and Willingham was named team Most Valuable Player while Diamond was named both Rookie and Pitcher of the Year.
Other award winners included Ben Revere (Most Improved and Defensive Player of Year), Glen Perkins (Media Good Guy), and Justin Morneau for "determination and leadership." Joe Mauer received the "Upper Midwest Player of the Year" award. The Diamond Awards will be handed out at the eighth annual Diamond Awards dinner, a benefit for University of Minnesota medical research, that will be held Jan. 24 at Target Field.
Willingham, 33, signed a three-year contract with the Twins before the 2012 season. He hit .260/.366/.524 with 35 home runs and 110 RBIs. Diamond, 26, started 27 games and pitched 173 innings with a 3.54 ERA, while leading the American League in walks per nine innings pitched.