30 nominees named for 2014 Hank Aaron Award
Fans can vote through Ooctober 5th at MLB.com; Award recognizes most outstanding offensive performers in each league
Major League Baseball and MLB Advanced Media announced that fans can vote for the 2014 Hank Aaron Award exclusively online at MLB.com and the 30 Club sites. For the fifth 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 finalists for the 2014 Hank Aaron Award are:
| American League | |
| Baltimore Orioles | Nelson Cruz |
| Boston Red Sox | David Ortiz |
| Chicago White Sox | Jose Abreu |
| Cleveland Indians | Michael Brantley |
| Detroit Tigers | Victor Martinez |
| Houston Astros | Jose Altuve |
| Kansas City Royals | Alex Gordon |
| LA Angels of Anaheim | Mike Trout |
| Minnesota Twins | Trevor Plouffe |
| New York Yankees | Brett Gardner |
| Oakland Athletics | Josh Donaldson |
| Seattle Mariners | Robinson Cano |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Evan Longoria |
| Texas Rangers | Adrian Beltre |
| Toronto Blue Jays | Jose Bautista |
| National League | |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | Paul Goldschmidt |
| Atlanta Braves | Justin Upton |
| Chicago Cubs | Anthony Rizzo |
| Cincinnati Reds | Devin Mesoraco |
| Colorado Rockies | Justin Morneau |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Adrian Gonzalez |
| Miami Marlins | Giancarlo Stanton |
| Milwaukee Brewers | Jonathan Lucroy |
| New York Mets | Daniel Murphy |
| Philadelphia Phillies | Marlon Byrd |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Andrew McCutchen |
| St. Louis Cardinals | Matt Carpenter |
| San Diego Padres | Seth Smith |
| San Francisco Giants | Hunter Pence |
| Washington Nationals | Anthony Rendon |
The Hall of Fame panel led by Aaron includes some of the greatest offensive players of all-time -Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Frank Thomas and Robin Yount. These Hall of Famers - who combined for 16,956 hits, 8,844 RBI and 2,109 home runs - have all been personally selected by Aaron to lend their expertise to select the best offensive performer in each League.
Continuing through October 5, 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 2014 Hank Aaron Award will be announced during the 2014 World Series.
"As one of the game's most talented and respected players ever, it is appropriate that Major League Baseball recognizes the top offensive performers in each League with an award named in honor of Hank Aaron," Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said. "Each of the nominees should be applauded for their outstanding seasons, which will make selecting just one winner in each League a difficult task for Hank, our Hall of Fame panel and our participating fans."
"I am honored to have my name on the award given by Major League Baseball to the top offensive performers in the game," said Hank Aaron. "Each of the nominees is talented and deserving, which makes me grateful to have the assistance of my fellow Hall of Famers and the fans to help select the winners."
Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award include: Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt (2013); 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.