NewsSN honors Rivera and Franklin
Yankees and Cardinals closers named top 2009 relievers
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
10/23/09 4:01 PM ET
Mariano Rivera and Ryan Franklin have been named The Sporting News' 2009 relievers of the year for the American and National Leagues as selected by a panel of 31 Major League Baseball general managers and assistant GMs.Rivera went 3-3 with a 1.76 ERA and 44 saves in 66 games this season. The veteran Yankees right-hander reached the 40-save plateau for the seventh time in his career and he also earned career save No. 500 during the season.
Franklin's breakthrough campaign saw the Cardinals right-hander fashion a 3-3 record with a career-best 1.92 ERA and 38 saves in 62 appearances.
Sporting News has unveiled its 2009 award winners throughout the week on sportingnews.com.
• Tuesday: Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ and White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham were named TSN's 2009 rookies of the year.
• Wednesday: Royals right-hander Zack Greinke and Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum were named TSN's pitchers of the year, and the Angels' Mike Scioscia and Rockies' Jim Tracy were named TSN's managers of the year.
• Thursday: Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was named 2009 TSN Player of the Year, and the magazine announced its AL and NL All-Star teams.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
