Happ Named Sporting News Rookie of the Year
J.A. Happ started the season in the bullpen, found himself in trade rumors in July and wondered where he might pitch in the postseason in September.
He still pitched well.
He went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 35 games (23 starts) as Sporting News on Tuesday named Happ its National League Rookie of the Year, as selected by a panel of 338 Major League players.
“Over the course of the season if you try to be consistent and play the game the right way, I think guys will take notice of that and it’s definitely an honor that they did,” Happ said during a workout Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.
Game 5 of the NLCS is tomorrow night, but you already knew that.
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Todd Zolecki
Well deserved.
Happ earned it! Hamels could LEARN a lot about maturity and how to deal with adversity from J. A . Happ. Phillies fans can only hope.
JA doesn’t need outside media recognition to know how good he was this year. It’s nice, but I’m sure he appreciates fans and his teammates cheering him on even more. He has the poise of a veteran. That’s why it’s hard for me to think of him as a rookie. He should get the “Team Player of the Year Award”. No one has sacrificed personal goals for the team more than Happ. I really thank Ricciardi for being so greedy that we got Lee and could keep Happ. I look forward to seeing the Phils offer Happ a contract through his arbitration-eligible years.