Alvarez’s three honors lead a crowded MLB awards night

Yordan Alvarez won the AL Hank Aaron and Comeback Player awards, plus Outstanding DH. Pete Crow-Armstrong took the NL Hank Aaron; Zack Wheeler won NL Comeback.

The AL relief winners came from different votes

Bryan Baker won the Mariano Rivera AL honor; Mason Miller took the Trevor Hoffman NL award. These are separate from the new BBWAA relief awards.

That distinction changes the AL result. Louis Varland won the writers’ first relief award with 146 points, ahead of Cade Smith’s 133 and Baker’s 111. Miller won both NL honors.

The BBWAA’s published ballot shows why Varland prevailed there: he received 16 first-place votes, Smith seven and Baker six. Smith appeared on every ballot, while Varland was named on 27. First-place strength overcame broader support lower down the order.

All-MLB and the rest of the program

Schlittler made the All-MLB first team; Ben Rice earned second-team DH. The complete positional selections are available in MLB’s linked results.

Tampa Bay’s Erik Neander won Executive of the Year for the second time, following 2019. Executives from all 30 clubs determine the award.

Baltimore’s Colton Cowser received Premier Play of the Year for his August 31 catch at Colorado. With two outs in the ninth, he took away Jake McCarthy’s potential walk-off homer and secured the Orioles’ 2-1 win. Milwaukee catcher William Contreras received the inaugural Flow Mayor award, which recognizes personality and style alongside on-field achievement.

Softball’s champions share the stage

The program also recognized Athletes Unlimited Softball League players. Montana Fouts was Pitcher of the Year for a second straight season. Talons teammate Jadelyn Allchin was Championship MVP after going 3-for-6 with three runs and three RBIs in the sweep of the Bandits.

Chicago’s Sami Williams won Hitter of the Year after setting league season records with 12 doubles and 34 RBIs. Carolina catcher Reese Atwood was Rookie of the Year, batting .309 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs. Utah’s Bri Ellis won Comeback Player of the Year after hitting .353 with five homers.