2011 Blue Jays Award Winners

The Toronto chapter of the BBWAA held their annual vote and selected the following players as recipients of 2011 awards. JOSE BAUTISTA earned the Neil MacCarl Award as Player of the Year, LHP RICKY ROMERO was selected Pitcher of the Year, C JP ARENCIBIA was named Rookie of the Year, while Most Improved was RHP CASEY JANSSEN, and the recipient of the John Cerutti Award is RHP DUSTIN MCGOWN.

BAUTISTA, 31, earned Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive season after leading the Majors in home runs (43), walks (132), SLG (.608) and OPS (1.056) in 2011. He became the first player to lead the league in these four offensive categories since Barry Bonds in 2001 and the first AL player to accomplish this feat since Ted Williams in 1942. The 6-1, 192lb. right-handed hitter, also became the first Blue Jay to lead the Majors in walks (132), the most in a single season since Barry Bonds (132-BB, 2007) and the most by an AL player since Jason Giambi (137-BB, 2000).   

ROMERO, 27, is also a back-to-back winner, leading the team in starts (32), wins (15), quality starts (25), innings pitched (225.0) and ERA (2.92). The Los Angeles, California native was particularly effective after the All-Star break, posting an 8-3 record with a 2.72 ERA, while holding opponents to a .193 average. Overall he pitched to a 15-11 record with a 2.92 ERA setting career marks in innings pitched, wins, strikeouts and ERA.

ARENCIBIA, 25, ranked among the leaders in many categories for a rookie, including 2nd in home runs (23), 2nd in walks (36), T-2nd in RBI (78), 3rd in extra base hits (47), 3rd in total bases (194), and T-5th in triples (4). The right-handed hitting catcher set a Blue Jays record for home runs as a catcher with 23 and now ranks T-3rd for most home runs by a rookie catcher in Major League history, behind Mike Piazza (35-1993), Matt Nokes (28-1987) and Giovanni Soto (23-2008).

JANSSEN, 30, picked up the award for Most Improved Player. The California native and resident pitched to a 6-0 record becoming only the third Blue Jays pitcher and first since Denis Lamp (11-0) and Tom Filer (7-0) in 1985 to win at-least six games in a season without a loss. In 55 relief appearances, Janssen allowed a run in just nine of those outings.

MCGOWAN, 29, earns the distinguished John Cerutti Award, given to a person that exemplifies the goodwill, cooperation and character displayed by the late John Cerutti. McGowan was awarded the Most Improved Player award in 2007, however underwent two shoulder surgeries from 2008-2010 and returned to the Majors this past season. Throughout his recovery the Savannah, Georgia native was always available and cooperative to discuss his progress form the surgeries and his character showed through in his recovery.