Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9410200076
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
Hamelin was the first DH to win the rookie award, and the first Royals player to earn it since Lou Piniella in 1969. The honor, now named the Jackie Robinson Rookie Award, was first presented in 1947 to one major-leaguer.
Hamelin hit 24 home runs, drove in 65 runs and batted .282. He led AL rookies in homers, RBI, runs (64), hits (88), doubles (25), walks (56) and games (101) when the players' strike started Aug.12.
``I did spend quite a few years in the minor leagues. I definitely paid my dues,'' he said. ``That does make it a little more rewarding.''
Hamelin, who also played 24 games at first base, received 25 of 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. He also got three second-place votes and finished with 134 points.
Cleveland outfielder Manny Ramirez, who hit .269 with 17 home runs and 60 RBI, was runner-up with 44 points. Texas outfielder Rusty Greer, who hit .314 with 46 RBI and also made a diving catch that finished off Kenny Rogers' perfect game, got the other three first-place votes and was third with 42 points.
The NL rookie award will be announced today.
Hamelin, 26, was drafted by the Royals in 1988. Despite showing power, his progress to the majors was slowed by back problems.
Hamelin broke Bo Jackson's rookie Royals record of 22 home runs set in 1987. Hamelin's biggest homer was a two-out, three-run shot in the bottom of the 12th inning off Chicago reliever Roberto Hernandez on July 25 for a 6-4 victory that kept alive Kansas City's eventual 14-game winning streak.
Helped by the winning string, the Royals closed within four games of the AL Central-leading White Sox when the strike started.
Before Hamelin's news conference Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium, Royals officials requested that Hamelin not be questioned about the strike.
Hamelin, a hefty 235-pounder, became a fan favorite at home, earning the nickname ``The Hammer.'' After the All-Star break, many fans showed up at the park waving toy hammers when he came to the plate.
Hamelin ranked ninth in the AL in home runs, fifth in slugging (.599) and fourth in home-run ratio, connecting once every 13 at-bats. The left-handed hitter did it despite being held out of the lineup against left-handed pitchers for the first two months of the season.
``I know I can hit against left-handers,'' he said. ``It was just a matter of waiting and proving myself.''
Hamelin showed power in his first year of pro ball, leading the Northwest League with 17 home runs for Euguene after being picked by the Royals in the second round of the June 1988 draft. After several years of back trouble, he went through an injury-free 1993 and hit 29 home runs for Triple-A Omaha.
``I was concerned, yes, after the surgery that I could come back and do well,'' said Hamelin, who underwent a procedure to fuse a disc in 1991.
``I just knew the people who do well get to play,'' he said.
Hamelin made his major league debut in 1993, hitting two home runs in 49 at-bats. At the time, though, the Royals already were counting on him to take over the DH spot left by Brett's retirement.
by CNB