WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 11/12/01

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith]

A fiery plane crash in New York renews the fears of jittery travelers.
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[VO-NAT]
And a school bus driver wins praise from parents for saving the day in a collision with a tractor trailer.
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[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 Sports, the Tech 2001 report has the Hokies rekindling their nasty attitudes. Al Groh talks about his first Tech experience at Victory Stadium
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[VO-NAT]
And UVa's Tavon Mason is the this week's ACC special teams player of the week.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Well, the forecast is dry once again. Temperatures will flucuate a bit. Those details just ahead.
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[ANCHOR=Keith 3-Shot]

News 7 at Six is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

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[VO-NAT]

An international flight crashes on take-off from New York's J-F-K Airport.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
Shannon Young will join us in a moment.

[Plane-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

At this point, officials are suggesting mechanical failure -- not terrorism -- was the cause.
The American Airlines airbus was headed for the Dominican Republic from Kennedy Airport when it crashed into Rockaway, Queens this morning.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Gretchen/Newspath]

Gretchen Carlson joins us now with more.
[Live=Gretchen Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Gretchen Carlson/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-New York, NY;]
( ad lib)
[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH***]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Marion Blakey/National Transportation Safety Board;]
[SUPER=01-Gov. George Pataki/(R) New York;]
[SUPER=01-Christine Schnieder/Rockaway Resident;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]
((FLAMES ENGULFED A BLOCK LONG SECTION OF ROCKAWAY, QUEENS AFTER AN AMERICAN AIRLINES JET SLAMMED INTO THIS DENSELY POPULATED NEIGHBORHOOD. NUMEROUS BUILDINGS WERE HIT BY THE AIRBUS A-300...A WIDEBODY JET THAT HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM KENNEDY AIRPORT...HEADED FOR THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
SOT: MOS WITNESS
OFFICIALS SAY (IT APPEARS) ALL 255 PEOPLE ON BOARD THE JET DIED. THE EXACT NUMBER OF CAUSALITIES ON THE GROUND IS NOT KNOWN. WHILE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH IS UNDER-INVESTIGATION...SO FAR OFFICIALS SAY THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT TERRORISTS HAD IT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.
SOT: MARION BLAKEY/Chairwoman, National Transportation Safety Board
"ALL INFORMATION WE HAVE IS THAT THIS IS AN ACCIDENT." THE RECOVERED FLIGHT DATA RECORDER .. AND THIS ENGINE WILL BE KEY FOR INVESTIGATORS. SOMEHOW THE ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE PLANE.... LANDING IN A GAS STATION VIRTUALLY INTACT.

SOT: GOVERNOR GEORGE PATAKI, NEW YORK
(Pilot dumped fuel... this is consistent with mechanical failure on the plane)
THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS ALREADY REELING. MORE THAN 70 FIREFIGHTERS KILLED IN THE WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACK LIVED IN THIS SMALL COMMUNITY ABOUT 15 MILES FROM MANHATTAN.
SOT: CHRISTINE SCHNIEDER/ROCKAWAY RESIDENT
"YOU ARE JUST KIND OF WALKING IN A DAZE. PEOPLE ARE STOPPING YOU AND SAYING: DO YOU KNOW THIS ONE, HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THAT ONE."
SOT: BUSH
(people of NY)))
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[Live=Gretchen Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-New York, NY;]
( ad lib toss back)

[Airport]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-34 TC1:43:37]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
The crash delayed flights across much of the East Coast.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Shannon/Microwave;]
Shannon Young is at the Roanoke Regional Airport.
Shannon was local air traffic affected at all?
[LIVE=Shannon /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Shannon1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
(adlib)
((ROLLCUE:...there'd be no sign of the crash.))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jena Holland/Wife of Traveler; :20]
[SUPER=01-Amanda DeHaven/Roanoke Regional Airport; :45]
[SUPER=01-David Scott/Traveler; :58]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=this is what that includes.]
((The only sign all was not right in the aviation industry was the group of travelers gathered around the television. Continuous news coverage repeatedly pointed out that the FBI did not suspect terrorism in the crash of Aemrican Airlines flight 587. But that information was not enough to quell anxieties shaken loose by the events of September 11th.
[SOT 4:46-4:54]
[IN Q=We were nervous before...]
((We were nervous before, you know, knowing he was going out of town and now, with this, it's made us alot more nervous.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=alot more nervous.]
With two of the three New York airports re-opened Roanoke officials aren't too concerned with the effect the crash will have on local service. They are, however, worried about consumer confidence in the airline industry. Passenger loads that dropped significantly after September 11th were just starting to rebuild.
[SOT 2:44-2:53]
[IN Q=This has been a tough time for...]
((This has been a tough time for the airline industry. Anything like this is gonna hurt a little bit. I'm hoping it won't be too devasating.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=hoping it won't be too devastating.]
They're relying on customers like David Scott to keep what they see as the proper perspective.
[SOT 6:30-;6:41]
[IN Q=This is probably an accident.]
((This is probably an accident, you know. The engine either failed or it ran into a flock of Canadian Geese or, it doesn't look like it was terrorists.)) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=doesn't look like it was terrorists.]
So, while airlines are doing what they can to boost security they're also trying to build consumer's faith in flight.

Officials hope newly awakened fears aren't heavy enough to keep would-be passengers on the ground.
[SOT 5:04-5:09]
[IN Q=It's a shame, you know.]
((It's a shame, you know. They've asked us to get back to our lives and this is what that includes.)) [RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=this is what that includes.]))
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[LIVE=Shannon /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
(adlib)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Shannon /Microwave;]

[81-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]
State police say traffic is now moving along Interstate 81 in Montgomery County. Northbound traffic was snarled about an hour ago... after three tractor trailers were involved in an accident at mile marker 112.

[Bus-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-51 TC1:11:33]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]

Debbie Radford says she did the best she could. And tonight a mother credits the Bedford County bus driver with saving her daughter's life.
Joe Dashiell has more on the morning accident that injured 20 people, but took no lives.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Bus Six]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co. ; :00]
[SUPER=01-Amanda Overstreet/Bedford Middle School Student; :14]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Radford/Bus Driver; :38]
[SUPER=@Joe2; :56]
[SUPER=01-Shelby Overstreet/Parent; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=JD News 7]
((Bus Six was carrying 15 students to Liberty High and Bedford Middle Schools... when it stopped to pick up three more.

Amanda Overstreet's two sisters had gotten on and she was stepping in, when the tractor trailer hit the bus from behind.
[SOT]
[IN Q=And I was on]
((AMANDA OVERSTREET/STUDENT: AND I WAS ON THE SECOND STEP AND THE TRACTOR TRAILER JUST CRASHED AND EVERYBODY ON THE WHOLE BUS WAS SCREAMING AND IT WAS REALLY BAD. AND SO WHEN I WAS ON THAT STEP MY BUS DRIVER, SHE HELPED ME, SHE PICKED ME UP, CAUSE I WAS ABOUT TO GO IN THE ROAD.)) ((DEBBIE RADFORD/BUS DRIVER: TWO HAD GOTTEN ON AND I REACHED OVER TO GET THE THIRD TO PULL HER ON THE BUS, SO I COULD POSSIBLE GET OUT OF HIS WAY. AND I DIDN'T GET OUT OF HIS WAY IN TIME, BUT I DONE THE BEST I COULD DO.))
[RUNS= :35]
[OUT Q=the best I could do.]

Bus driver Debbie Radford had pulled to the side of 460 and turned on the emergency flashers, but investigators say the bright sunlight may have impaired the truck driver's vision.
Shelby Overstreet says she thanks God for Radford's quick reaction.
[SOT 01:57:42]
[IN Q=It could have been]
((IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. IF THE BUS DRIVER HADN'T GRABBED ONE OF THE KIDS THAT WAS GETTING ON THE BUS, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN RUN OVER. SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD. WE'RE LUCKY.)) ((DEBBIE RADFORD: I'M BRUISED UP, BUT I'M GOING TO BE OKAY. I'LL BE BACK AT IT. I'VE GOT A LOT OF KIDS BEHIND ME. WE'LL BE BACK AT IT.))
[RUNS= :15]
[OUT Q=we'll be back at it.]

And Radford says her thoughts are with the driver of the tractor trailer, who remains in stable condition at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Joe Dashiell News 7))

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

Valedictorians are on their way out at one area high school.
Find out why when News 7 returns.
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[VO-NAT]

And Virginians honor their fighting men and women on this observed Veterans Day.
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[Vets-Day]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-37 TC1:56:11]
[GRAPHIC=Veterans Day]

A new generation of citizens paid tribute to the nation's veterans today.
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[NAT SOT: MUSIC]
[IN Q=BAND playing]
((NATSOUND OF STUDENT BAND PLAYING TAPS.))
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=MUSIC.]
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[VO-NAT]

A ceremony at Franklin County High School drew veterans from World War Two, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War.
Cadets from the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps honored them with flags and flowers.
Many cadets said they were eager to follow in the veterans footsteps.
(///// SOT /////)
[bump SOTs]
[IN Q=Veterans Day]
[SOT 20:20:15 - :23]
((JAMIE GOETZINGER/SOPHOMORE: VETERANS DAY MEANS A LOT TO ME BECAUSE BOTH MY PARENTS WERE VETERANS AND THEY SERVED OUR COUNTRY VERY WELL AND I HOPE TO DO THE SAME SOMEDAY.))
[**butt butt butt with SOT 20:21:49 - :59]
((CHASTA HOPKINS/SENIOR: IT MEANT A LOT. IT KIND OF HURT MY HEART BECAUSE THEY LOOKED SO PAINFUL. AND I SAW ONE OF THEM CRYING AND IT KIND OF MADE ME WANT TO CRY TOO. BUT THEY DONE SO GOOD. GOD'S BLESSED THEM SO MUCH.))
[SUPER=01-Jamie Goetzinger/Sophomore;]
[SUPER=01-Chasta Hopkins/Senior;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=blessed them so much.]
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[VO-NAT]

More than one-million soldiers have died serving our country.
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[Graduation]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-43 TC1:43:16]
[GRAPHIC=Education ]

Valedictorians will eventually be a thing of the past at Franklin County High School.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount;]

The school board voted unanimously today to eliminate the valedictorian and salutatorian rankings in 2004.
School administrators say that too many students were focusing on weighted courses with higher grade point possibilities ... and ignoring classes like band and choir.
Under the new system, all students with a 4- point - 0 or higher would be recognized.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:24:13 - :25]
[IN Q=In the past,]
((KEVIN BEZY/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: IN THE PAST WE'VE GIVEN A MEDAL TO THE SALUTATORIAN AND THE VALEDICTORIAN. NOW WE'LL BE HONORING A LARGER GROUP OF CHILDREN THAT HAVE ATTAINED A STANDARD THAT ANYONE COULD ATTAIN, NOT JUST ONE OR TWO. ))

[SUPER=01-Kevin Bezy/Assistant Principal;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=not just one or two.]
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

Instead of a valedictory speech, students with a perfect grade average will have the chance to write and submit speeches.
A board will then select which speech will be delivered at graduation.

[Alleghany-Study]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-39 TC1:29:21]
[GRAPHIC=None]

We've got it, now how do we flaunt it?
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Alleghany Co.]

That's the question posed by Alleghany Highlands officials.
They're attempting to combat a decline in population and low educational levels.
The Alleghany Foundation spent 100-thousand dollars to get some answers.
A study by Roanoke-based Wishneff and Associates recommends a 200-thousand dollar image campaign.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=the bad news]
[SUPER=01-Linda Staley/Linda Staley Public Relations;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=opportunity then.]
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[VO-NAT]

The study shows recreation facilities in the area are top-notch, but a yearly event would help show them off.
The study also recommends creating a toursim-director position to coordinate such events.
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[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Stocks ended mixed as Wall Street recovered from big losses following the plane crash in New York. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/53.63/9554.37/x/11.65/1840.13;]

The DOW dropped 54 points.
NASDAQ gained 12.
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[VO]
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[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Tech-Visitors]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-44 TC1:23:22]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

Virginia Tech is revising the renovation plans for Lane Stadium's West side.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :21]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Today, the university's board of visitors approved a two-million dollar cost increase. The new bottom line of 47-point-8-million will be presented to the General Assembly for approval. Tech is also changing the need for a "naming rights" gift. The project's original plan called for a 25-million dollar gift for a chance to name the stadium.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:52:00]
[IN Q=THE ONE SINGLE]
((MINNUS RIDENOUR/VT EXEC. VP CEO; THE ONE SINGLE BIG GIFT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO ACCOMPLISH SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THAT AND WE WANT AN OPPORTUNITY SHOULD THAT MONEY THOSE MONIES NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR US TO HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN TO KEEP THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD.))
[SUPER=01-Minnus Ridenour/VT Executive VP and CEO;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=TO KEEP THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD.]
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[VO-NAT]
The alternative is to now budget just 10-million dollars in total fundraising monies. The revised proposal says a new seating concept for the west side will generate needed funds.
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[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports, an update on the injured NASCAR crewmen. The Tech 2001 Report shows us how we are often a product of our environment.
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[VO-NAT]
And after using the Hook and ladder to beat one Tech - UVa is primed to get another win to GROH on in just a moment.
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[S-Tech2001]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-106]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2001]
This morning's Tech 2001 segment takes us back to Philly where the Hokies got well after feasting on some Owl. Are they wiser? They better be - because rejuvenated UVa is on deck.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA/Saturday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bud Foster/VT Defensive Coordinator; :51]
[SUPER=01-Ernest Wilford/Caught First TD Pass Saturday; 1:32]
[SUPER=01-Willie Pile/Virginia Tech Safety; 1:43]
[RUNS=1:56]
[OUT Q=...PREPARE THAT WAY."]
(--------------)
((Despite racking up 155 yards and two touchdowns in his triumphant homecoming to the City of Brotherly Love last Saturday - Kevin Jones couldn't get any love from the Big East as the conference bypassed him in favor of Pitt quarterback David Preistly for its offensive player of the week award. The Hokies did, however, find themselves this past weekend in Philadelphia. With the Delaware River serving as a scenic backdrop and the USS New Jersey battleship providing some much needed inspiration - the Hokies found themselves. And it's a good thing - a classified ad in last week's Roanoke Times had listed the Tech football team as officially missing. Yes, it was only Temple - but the players and more importantly their emotional fires appear to be back. ((BUD FOSTER:)) Foster and the Tech coaches have rekindled the fire under their Hokies just in time. Saturday's 73rd meeting with UVa promises to be much more of an interesting game than it was just a few short weeks ago.)) ((ERNEST WILFORD:)) ((WILLIE PILE:))
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[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=tech/uva]
And as you know the Tech-UVa game is a complete sellout Saturday, but Your Hometown Station is giving away 8 tickets and a tailgate party to one lucky winner. Your chance to win the Commonwealth Cup Party Pack is coming up this Friday Night on Friday Football Extra. All you will need to win is your TV and a phone.

[S-Virginia]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-99]
[GRAPHIC=TECH/UVA]

This Saturday's meeting between Tech and Virginia is not the first time that UVa head coach Al Groh has faced the Hokies.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
Groh played against the Hokies three times during his undergraduate days at Virginia in the 1960's. One of those meetings took place at Roanoke's Victory Stadium.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/UVa Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=...victory stadium in Roanoke."]
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[VO-NAT con't]
The only thing Groh wants to harvest this weekend is another win. And Bryson Spinner is just the man to get it for him.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WE WANT TO WIN...]
[SUPER=01-Bryson Spinner/UVa Quarterback; :00]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=...A DIFFERENT WAY."]
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[vo nat con't] Somehow Spinner was overlooked for this week's ACC offensive player of the week honor, but teammate Tavon Mason was named the specialist of the week for his 100 yard return against the Yellow Jackets.

(--------------)[S-NASCAR]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=BOBBY BURRELL]

As is often the case these days - any big event seems to have ties to our area. Bobby Burrell is the front tire changer for Ricky Rudd's crew. Yesterday he was a pit row doing his job when two cars collided and then knocked him head first into a wall. He is listed in serious condition, but stable condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with a head injury. The 30-year old Burrell is a native of the Alleghany Highlands. He played football for the Mountaineers at Alleghany high school.

[S-MLB]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-102]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]

The major league rookie of the years were announced today, but I bet you can't guess which one was a unanimous choice.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Major League Baseball; :00]
Ichiro Suzuki is the second straight Japanese player to win the American League Rookie of the Year award. He joined the Mariners after nine seasons in Japan and won a batting title with a .350 average to go with 56 stolen bases. But he was not UNANIMOUS.
Albert Pujols WAS in the voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America for the National League honor. The 21-year-old set an N-L rookie record with 130 R-B-Is. He led the Cardinals with a .329 average and hit 37 homers.

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