Seventeen 2012 All-Stars among finalists for 2012 Hank Aaron Award
Fan Voting Begins Today at MLB.com; Award Recognizes Most Outstanding Offensive Performers in Each League; Hall of Fame Panel Led by Hank Aaron Includes Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Joe Morgan, and Robin Yount
Major League Baseball and MLB Advanced Media announced that fan voting begins today for the 2012 Hank Aaron Award exclusively online at MLB.com and the 30 Club sites. For the third straight year, a special panel of Hall of Fame players led by Hank Aaron will join fans in voting for the award, which is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball and has recognized the most outstanding offensive performer in each League since it was established in 1999.
The Hall of Fame panel led by Aaron includes some of the greatest offensive players of all-time –Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Joe Morgan, and Robin Yount. These Hall of Famers – who combined for 12,119 hits, 4,984 RBI and 888 home runs – have all been personally selected by Hank Aaron to lend their expertise to select the best offensive performer in each League.
Beginning today and continuing through October 16th fans will have the opportunity to select one American League and one National League winner from a list comprising of one finalist per Club. The winners of the 2012 Hank Aaron Award will be announced during the 2012 World Series.
"Named in honor of one of the greatest hitters and competitors of all-time, the Hank Aaron Awards recognize each League's best all-around offensive performer," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "Hank's career will forever remain a model of excellence and consistency, and I am glad that the 30 Club nominees are following the example of a pillar of our game."
“It is a real privilege to have my name on the award that recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each League,” said Hank Aaron. “With so many talented players in the game today, I am thankful to have the assistance of my fellow Hall of Famers and the fans to select the winners.”
The finalists for the 2012 Hank Aaron Award are:
| American League | National League | ||
| Baltimore Orioles | Adam Jones | Arizona Diamondbacks | Aaron Hill |
| Boston Red Sox | Dustin Pedroia | Atlanta Braves | Jason Heyward |
| Chicago White Sox | Alex Rios | Chicago Cubs | Alfonso Soriano |
| Cleveland Indians | Shin-Soo Choo | Cincinnati Reds | Jay Bruce |
| Detroit Tigers | Miguel Cabrera | Colorado Rockies | Carlos Gonzalez |
| Kansas City Royals | Billy Butler | Houston Astros | Jose Altuve |
| LA Angels of Anaheim | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Dodgers | Andre Ethier |
| Minnesota Twins | Joe Mauer | Miami Marlins | Giancarlo Stanton |
| New York Yankees | Derek Jeter | Milwaukee Brewers | Ryan Braun |
| Oakland Athletics | Josh Reddick | New York Mets | David Wright |
| Seattle Mariners | Kyle Seager | Philadelphia Phillies | Carlos Ruiz |
| Tampa Bay Rays | B.J. Upton | Pittsburgh Pirates | Andrew McCutchen |
| Texas Rangers | Josh Hamilton | St. Louis Cardinals | Matt Holliday |
| Toronto Blue Jays | Edwin Encarnacion | San Diego Padres | Chase Headley |
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| San Francisco Giants | Buster Posey |
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| Washington Nationals | Adam LaRoche |
Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award include: Jose Bautista and Matt Kemp (2011), Bautista and Joey Votto (2010); Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols (2009); Aramis Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis (2008); Alex Rodriguez and Prince Fielder (2007); Jeter and Ryan Howard (2006); David Ortiz and Andruw Jones (2005); Manny Ramirez and Barry Bonds (2004); Rodriguez and Pujols (2003); Rodriguez and Bonds (2001-02); Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton (2000) and Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa (1999).
The Hank Aaron Award was introduced in 1999 to honor the 25th Anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, and, at that time, was the first major award introduced by Major League Baseball in more than 25 years.