Keuchel first pitcher since ’92 to be selected Astros MVP
Dallas Keuchel was named the Astros’ MVP in voting by the Houston Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Keuchel, who finished 20-8 and is a leading contender for the American League Cy Young award, was also named the team’s pitcher of the year.
Other winners included shortstop Carlos Correa (Astros rookie of the year), catcher Hank Conger (Darryl Kile Good Guy award), Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (Houston area player of the year) and Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan (Fred Hartman Long and Meritorious Service award).
Keuchel is the first pitcher to be named Astros team MVP since Doug Jones in 1992 and is the pitcher of the year for a second straight season.
Correa, who played in 99 games, led AL rookies with 22 homers, a team record for a rookie and a shortstop.
Goldschmidt, from The Woodlands, hit .321 with 38 doubles and 33 homers for Arizona.
Ryan, who earned 106 of his 324 career victories with the Astros, returned to the organization in 2014 as an executive adviser. He had been a speical asistant to the GM from 2004-07 before being named president of the Texas Rangers in 2008.
Keuchel also was honored by the Sporting News as the starting pitcher on its American League All-Star team, selected in voting by league executives.
Marlins likely to hire Mattingly
Former Dodgers manager Don Mattingly interviewed for the Marlins’ managerial job earlier this week, and both sides are interested in striking a deal in the coming days, barring something unforeseen.
Mattingly met with Marlins officials in Miami, and additional conversations are expected.
Mattingly, 54, likes working with young players and is intrigued by the idea of managing the Marlins’ roster, an associate told the Miami Herald. He wants assurances that he could hire his own coaches, but the Marlins have said publicly they will grant that authority to anyone they hire.
“I don’t know what is going to happen and if this works out or not,” Mattingly said in a radio interview with Dan Patrick on Wednesday. “It’s just an interesting place because of the young talent that they have.”