Brewers outfielder Norichika Aoki finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year balloting on Monday, a ceremonial end to a successful first season in the U.S. Major Leagues.

Astros prospect Austin Wates is in the early stages of a budding baseball career, but the kind of advice Wates wants to share has much more to do with life and the challenges ahead.

Astros prospect Austin Wates is in the early stages of a budding baseball career, but the kind of advice Wates wants to share has much more to do with life and the challenges ahead.

Mike Trout and Bryce Harper had expectations that preceded them. They met them in terms of performance, but they exceeded them in the way they played. In this age of analytics, we sometimes overlook what it means to play the way Pete Rose and George Brett played, the way Darin Erstad and Derek Jeter and Grady Sizemore have played.

Mike Trout and Bryce Harper had expectations that preceded them. They met them in terms of performance, but they exceeded them in the way they played. In this age of analytics, we sometimes overlook what it means to play the way Pete Rose and George Brett played, the way Darin Erstad and Derek Jeter and Grady Sizemore have played.

Robin Ventura did so many good things in his rookie season as manager of the Chicago White Sox that it’s hard to know where to start.

Robin Ventura did so many good things in his rookie season as manager of the Chicago White Sox that it’s hard to know where to start.

Monday began a significant week on the calendar of America’s Pastime — one fans have been arguing and discussing for months. It’s the week when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America award winners will be revealed, when the most serious individual hardware is being brought out on a daily basis.

Jered Weaver has been one of the game’s most consistent pitchers in recent years, but he doesn’t have any hardware to show for it. He gets another shot on Wednesday, when voting for the American League Cy Young Award is announced.

Jered Weaver has been one of the game’s most consistent pitchers in recent years, but he doesn’t have any hardware to show for it. He gets another shot on Wednesday, when voting for the American League Cy Young Award is announced.

Bobby Valentine may not have succeeded in Boston, but he isn’t ready to put baseball in his rear-view mirror just yet.

Mariners right-hander Hishashi Iwakuma, who helped Japan win the 2009 World Baseball Classic, has decided not to pitch in the upcoming 2013 WBC tournament in order to prepare for his second season in the Major Leagues.

Only one National League manager ran a team that was able to accomplish what amounted to a transformation. That manager was Davey Johnson of the Washington Nationals. Justice was served when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America named him the 2012 NL Manger of the Year.

Only one National League manager ran a team that was able to accomplish what amounted to a transformation. That manager was Davey Johnson of the Washington Nationals. Justice was served when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America named him the 2012 NL Manger of the Year.

The job Bob Melvin did with the 2012 Oakland Athletics, deserves recognition not only as American League Manager of the Year, but as Manager of the Year, period.

The job Bob Melvin did with the 2012 Oakland Athletics, deserves recognition not only as American League Manager of the Year, but as Manager of the Year, period.

Buck Showalter’s Orioles not only exceeded any reasonable expectations by winning 93 games, they were also historically good in close games, which should earn Showalter the AL Manager of the Year Award.