Why Sean Elliot is At Fault for DeMarcus Cousins’ Suspension by Robert Gillis

Oct 7, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) at bat during game two of the 2012 ALDS against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

When the MLB announced who the AL Rookie of the Year was earlier this afternoon, the name was hardly a surprise to anyone.

Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout won in a unanimous vote, garnering all 28 first place ballots to win the glamorous award. Trout his .326 with 30 home runs and 49 stolen bases in his first full season.

So the real question of the day was: who would be the runner up?

Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes of the A’s and pitcher Yu Darvish of the Rangers battled for the second spot, but it was the Cuban defect Cespedes that wound up taking it.

Cespedes had 19 second place votes and six third places votes, giving him 63 points. Darvish had 46 points with 19 third place votes and nine second place votes.

What is perhaps most impressive about Cespedes’ season is that he hit .292 with 23 home runs and 82 RBI while adjusting to a new country. It’s hard to imagine how he must have felt when he first came to the United States, not knowing a word of English or who his teammates were.

“All the way around, for a guy that had to adjust and deal with many things that nobody else had to deal with, pretty amazing what he accomplished,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “The sky is literally the limit for him. He has a chance to be an elite player in the game.”

Cespedes signed a four-year, $36 million contract before the 2012 season began, and there isn’t a doubt in anybody’s mind that it was money well spent.