TicketsOct. 28, 2008
Former University of Cincinnati baseball player Kevin Youkilis was selected as a winner of the 2008 Sharp presents Hank Aaron Award, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced on Monday, Oct. 26. The Award recognizes most outstanding offensive performers in each league as chosen by the fans. More than 230,000 fans participated in the online balloting at MLB.com.
Youkilis had his finest season with the Red Sox, resulting in his first All-Star appearance as he started at first base in the Midsummer Classic at Yankee Stadium. Youkilis set career highs in 2008 with a .312 batting average, which ranked sixth in the American League, 168 hits, 43 doubles, and a team-best 29 home runs and 115 RBIs, which ranked fourth in the American League. During the season, he had 31 multi-RBI games and his 23 home runs as a first baseman are the most home runs by a Red Sox first baseman since Mo Vaughn belted 36 four-baggers in 1998. Youkilis also hit .374 with runners in scoring position and owned a .569 slugging percentage, placing him third in the American League. The Cincinnati native posted at least 15 RBI each month this season, highlighted by an August in which he put up a .351 batting average, six home runs and 24 RBIs.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez was the Hank Aaron Award winner for the National League.
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.
"For the last ten years, Major League Baseball has paid tribute to the spectacular career of one of our greatest players, Hank Aaron, through the Sharp presents Hank Aaron Award," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "I congratulate Aramis and Kevin for their wonderful seasons which led to winning this prestigious award. Sharp is a valued partner that is joining MLB in recognizing these players and celebrating the greatness of Hank Aaron."
"It is truly an honor that my name is part of the award recognizing the most outstanding offensive performer in each League," said Hank Aaron. "For the last ten years when the Hank Aaron Award has been presented to deserving recipients, like Aramis and Kevin, I am once again reminded of my own playing days and the wonderful and diverse talent in the game today."
Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award include: Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa (1999); Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton (2000); Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds (2001, 2002); Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols (2003); Manny Ramirez and Barry Bonds (2004); David Ortiz and Andruw Jones (2005); Derek Jeter and Ryan Howard (2006); and Alex Rodriguez and Prince Fielder (2007).