Marlins' Ramirez, Tigers' Verlander win rookie honors

"It's a nice tribute to him and his teammates," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said in a telephone interview from his home in Pittsburgh. "Usually when you accomplish something like this, it's a combination of earning it with your play and with teammates making contributions. Winning usually helps, too."

Ramirez gave the Marlins their second Rookie of the Year in four years, joining ace pitcher Dontrelle Willis, who played a little prank on his teammate by calling in unannounced during Ramirez's conference call with South Florida reporters.

"I just called in to say congrats. I love you. Keep doing your thing out there," Willis said.

The 22-year-old Ramirez, acquired from Boston last November in a deal for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, batted .292 with 17 homers, 59 RBI, 119 runs and 51 stolen bases. Ramirez also hit 46 doubles and 11 triples.

Voters select their top three choices and points are tabulated on a 5-3-1 basis. Before 1980, writers voted for just one rookie.

Zimmerman, who actually appeared on more ballots than Ramirez (29-27), hit .287 with 20 homers, 110 RBI and 47 doubles. He also played strong defense at third base.

"To tell you the truth, you can't be disappointed, because you had a great year," Zimmerman said. "I knew it was going to be a really close vote, and that made it kind of easier. It was a tough year to be a rookie, because there were so many good ones."

Previously, the closest NL election was in 1982 when Steve Sax of the Los Angeles Dodgers edged fellow second baseman Johnny Ray of Pittsburgh 63-57.

Six Marlins received votes, the most for one team on a rookie ballot. Pitchers Scott Olsen and Anibal Sanchez were also mentioned, along with outfielder Josh Willingham.

Liriano and Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis, who finished sixth, received the other first-place votes in the AL. Seattle catcher Kenji Johjima came in fourth, and Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver was fifth.

Previous winners from Detroit were pitcher Mark Fidrych in 1976 and shortstop Harvey Kuenn in 1953.