Jul 18, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) runs into the oil with first baseman Stephen Vogt (21)after hitting a three run home run for a walk off win against the Baltimore Orioles during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics’ 2014 season has ended but your role as a fan is not done. Voting for the 2014 GIBBYS is open and the A’s need your help. The Greatness in Baseball Yearly awards (the GIBBY) will be awarded on December 8th, but first the voting must take place. The winners will be determined by votes from media, front-office personnel, MLB alumni, the Society for American Baseball Research, and FANS.
That’s right, YOU can help the A’s win.
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GIBBYS will be awarded for several categories, and it’s not surprising that the Oakland Athletics have received numerous nominations.
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jon Lester. It’s hard to deny that Lester had another outstanding season. Can he beat Kershaw, Hernandez, Sale and Bumgarner?
Setup Man of the Year and Bounceback Player of the Year: Pat Neshek, former Athletic and current Cardinal. There are many former Athletics that are fan favorites but few are as beloved as Neshek. While he may play for another team, there are no current Athletics in nominated in these categories so we might as well vote for Neshek.
Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Donaldson – He won a Fielding Bible Award for Third Base and is a finalist for a Rawlings Gold Glove. Can he win a GIBBY for Defensive Player of the Year? Cast your vote and find out.
Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin – If you’re a fan of platoons and a third consecutive postseason berth since Melvin joined the A’s, then go cast your vote for him.
Play of the Year: Donaldson stellar while sitting – Josh Donaldson produces a double play, while sitting down on the job.
Outfield Throw of the Year: Cespedes’ incredible throw – I’m sure most of you require no context and still know which throw it is but in case you missed it, it was an absolute rocket from LF to home plate against the Angels. Even crazier, he did it AGAIN against the Angels.
Outfield Throw of the Year: Reddick’s strike from right – Josh reminds the Houston Astros why you “don’t run on Reddick.”
Oddity of the Year: Rally possum – The video shows the debut of the infamous rally possum and their frolic down the edge of left field. The possum reappeared for another night game, and helped the A’s go 2-0 when the possum came out to visit.
Oddity of the Year: Dunn’s mound debut – Adam Dunn, with the White Sox at the time, pitched on August 5 vs the Rangers. The White Sox were losing 15-0 so you might as well let the DH throw an inning, right? Dunn threw 12 strikes with his 22 pitches, allowing one run and two hits.
Walk-Off Of the Year: No Joshing around – Josh Donaldson hit his third walk off home run on September 21 vs the Phillies. He finished the 2014 season with an MLB best of 3 walk of home runs. (I’m disappointed that Donaldson’s walk off against the Orioles was not nominated, as that’s a personal favorite of mine)
Cut4 Topic Of the Year: Good-luck beards – I’ll give you one hint what was happening in this video: extra inning rally beard magic. Second hint: Reddick being Reddick.
Cast your vote ASAP as fan voting will end on November 7th. You can watch the GIBBYs announced live on MLB Network and MLB.com on December 6th – at 8pm EST.