Sox’ Abreu and Hahn voted tops by peers
The Sporting News named White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu its Major League Baseball Player of the Year on Thursday and honored Sox general manager Rick Hahn as its Executive of the Year.
The awards were voted on by MLB players and executives.
In a survey of 180 players, Abreu ( 47 votes), Indians right- hander Shane Bieber ( 25) and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman ( 20) topped the voting. Abreu, 33, posted a .317/. 370/. 617 hitting line with 19 home runs, 15 doubles and an American League high 60 RBI during the pandemic- shortened 60- game season, appearing in every game. He led the AL in hits ( 76), slugging percentage, total bases ( 148) and RBI and was second in home runs.
He joins Frank Thomas ( 1993) and Early Wynn ( 1959) as only Sox players to win the award. The Angels’ Mike Trout was the winner in 2019.
“This award really means a lot and is humbling because it comes from my fellow players,” Abreu said.
Hahn joins Roland Hemond ( 1972) and Bill Veeck ( 1977) as the only Sox execs to receive the Executive of the Year honor, which was first awarded in 1936. In the fourth year of their rebuild, the Sox finished 35- 25, tied for second in the AL Central and reached the postseason for the first time since 2008.
“I view this award as recognition of excellent work by many across the entire White Sox organization to set us up for a bright future,” Hahn said.
Eighteen executives cast votes, with Hahn receiving six. Padres general manager A. J. Preller was second with four.
Hatton hot at Shadow Creek
Coming off an emotional win at Wentworth and a long trip from London across eight time zones, Tyrrell Hatton still had his touch, tying the course record of 7- under 65 for a one- shot lead at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Xander Schauffele birdied the par- 5 18th for a 66 and was one shot behind, along with Russell Henley. Jon Rahm and Tyler Duncan were another shot behind. Rory McIlroy bogeyed his last three holes for a 73. Brooks Koepka, in his first tournament since taking two months off to heal an ailing left hip, showed plenty of rust and shot a 74.
Dadonov inks 3- year deal with Senators
The Senators signed Russian forward Evgenii Dadonov to a three- year, $ 15 million contract. He had 25 goals and 22 assists in 69 games with the Panthers last season and led the team with a career- best 11 power- play goals. He has scored at least 25 goals in each of the last three seasons.
† The Rangers agreed to two- year contracts with defenseman Tony DeAngelo ($ 9.6 million) and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev ($ 4.85 million).