Sluggers Alonso, Alvarez top rookies
Young sluggers known for their prodigious power, Pete Alonso and Yordan Alvarez knocked the Rookie of the Year voting out of the park.
In a rarity for the majorleague home run leader, Alonso didn’t land the biggest blow.
Alonso, a star first baseman with the New York Mets, got 29 of 30 firstplace votes for NL Rookie of the Year. Braves righthander Mike Soroka got the other first-place vote and finished second in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America revealed Monday night.
Alvarez, a hulking designated hitter from the Houston Astros, did Alonso one better. He earned all 30 first-place votes to become the 24th unanimous selection since the award was introduced in 1949.
Alonso, 24, led the majors with 53 homers, one better than Yankees slugger Aaron Judge’s rookie record from 2017. “Polar Bear” Pete became the face of baseball in Flushing, beloved for his power, personality and philanthropy. He’s the sixth Met to win the award and first since teammate Jacob deGrom in 2014.
Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was third in NL balloting. The only voter to place Soroka ahead of Alonso was Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. Alonso is the only NL player named on every ballot.
Alvarez, a 22-year-old from Cuba, played 87 games after debuting in June, fewest by any position player to win AL Rookie of the Year. He hit 27 homers, batted .313, drove in 78 and had a 1.067 OPS for the pennant-winning Astros.
He struggled at times in the postseason, but that was after voting had concluded.
He’s the third Houston player to win the award, following teammate Carlos Correa in 2015 and Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell in 1991.
Alvarez easily beat out the other AL finalists, with Orioles left-hander John Means second and Rays infielder Brandon Lowe third.
ETC.
College basketball:
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Kentucky is back in a familiar position under John Calipari: No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. The Wildcats rose one spot after winning a 1-vs-2 matchup with Michigan State to open the season in the Champions Classic, followed by an easy win against Eastern Kentucky. They earned 64 of 65 firstplace votes in Monday’s poll to finish ahead of No. 2 Duke. Florida slid nine spots to No. 15 after Sunday’s loss to Florida State. … In the first AP regularseason women’s poll, Oregon remains No. 1 after a startling exhibition win over the U.S. national team. Baylor, Stanford, UConn and Texas A&M complete the top five.
Soccer: Christian
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Pulisic is uncertain for the United States’ CONCACAF Nations League games against Canada and Cuba after leaving Chelsea’s match against Crystal Palace with a hip injury. Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley was to have been on the roster but was dropped when he hurt his right ankle during Sunday’s Major League Soccer title game. Seattle midfielder
Christian Roldan and forward Jordan Morris were added to the 23-man roster after the Sounders’ 3-1 win over Toronto. …
Cristano Ronaldo is upset at Juventus coach
Maurizio Sarri after being substituted for the second consecutive match after another disappointing performance. His replacement, Paulo Dybala, went on to score the only goal in a 1-0 victory.
Tennis: Defending
● champion Alexander Zverev pulled off another big win at the ATP Finals in London, beating topranked Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4 for his first career victory over the Spaniard. Nadal had a 5-0 record against Zverev. … Canada will not have Milos Raonic for the inaugural Davis Cup Finals next week in Madrid because of a back injury.
Olympics: The United ●
States stumbled for the second time in baseball qualifying, losing to South Korea 5-1 in Tokyo. The U.S plays Japan on Tuesday, Australia on Wednesday and Taiwan on Friday.