Jay Bruce Named Reds' Nominee for 2013 Hank Aaron Award
Fans Can Vote at MLB.com; Award Recognizes Most Outstanding Offensive Performers in Each League
Major League Baseball and MLB Advanced Media announced that RF Jay Bruce was named the Cincinnati Reds' nominee for the 2013 Hank Aaron Award.
Fans can vote exclusively online at MLB.com and the 30 Club sites. For the fourth 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.
Bruce was the only player in the Major Leagues in 2013 with at least 43 doubles, 30 home runs and 109 RBI. He ranked among the National League Top 10 in HR (3rd), RBI (T2nd), total bases (4th), doubles (T3rd), extra-base hits (2nd) and outfield assists (13, T3rd) while leading all Major League right fielders in HR, RBI, doubles and extra-base hits.
Over the last 3 seasons Bruce produced 105 doubles and 96 homers, numbers matched only by Detroit's Miguel Cabrera. Bruce's 208 RBI the last 2 seasons lead all National League batters and tie for sixth-most in the Major Leagues. He is 1 of only 15 players in Major League history to produce at least 20 HR in each of his first 6 seasons and is only the sixth player in Reds history to produce 30 home runs in 3 straight.
The Hall of Fame panel led by Aaron includes some of the greatest offensive players of all-time - Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray and Robin Yount. These Hall of Famers - who combined for 17,629 hits, 8,278 RBI and 1,723 home runs - have all been personally selected by Hank Aaron to lend their expertise to select the best offensive performer in each League.
Through October 10, 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 2013 Hank Aaron Award will be announced during the 2013 World Series.
"It is a great honor that Major League Baseball recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each League with an award in my name," said Hank Aaron. "The game is full of so many talented players today that I am thankful my fellow Hall of Famers and the fans assist in selecting the much deserving winners."
The finalists for the 2013 Hank Aaron Award are:
| American League | National League | ||
| Baltimore Orioles | Chris Davis | Arizona Diamondbacks | Paul Goldschmidt |
| Boston Red Sox | David Ortiz | Atlanta Braves | Freddie Freeman |
| Chicago White Sox | Alexei Ramirez | Chicago Cubs | Nate Schierholtz |
| Cleveland Indians | Jason Kipnis | Cincinnati Reds | Jay Bruce |
| Detroit Tigers | Miguel Cabrera | Colorado Rockies | Michael Cuddyer |
| Houston Astros | Jason Castro | Los Angeles Dodgers | Hanley Ramirez |
| Kansas City Royals | Eric Hosmer | Miami Marlins | Giancarlo Stanton |
| LA Angels of Anaheim | Mike Trout | Milwaukee Brewers | Carlos Gomez |
| Minnesota Twins | Joe Mauer | New York Mets | David Wright |
| New York Yankees | Robinson Cano | Philadelphia Phillies | Domonic Brown |
| Oakland Athletics | Josh Donaldson | Pittsburgh Pirates | Andrew McCutchen |
| Seattle Mariners | Kendrys Morales | St. Louis Cardinals | Matt Carpenter |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Evan Longoria | San Diego Padres | Will Venable |
| Texas Rangers | Adrian Beltre | San Francisco Giants | Hunter Pence |
| Toronto Blue Jays | Edwin Encarnacion | Washington Nationals | Jayson Werth |
Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award include: Miguel Cabrera and Buster Posey (2012), 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.