By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
11/10/09 3:06 PM EST
CLEVELAND -- Awards season is upon us, but it obviously won't be a bountiful season where the Indians are concerned.
The Tribe doesn't figure to have anyone who will figure in the voting for the major Baseball Writers' Association of America awards, and it's also a stretch to consider any of the Indians as candidates for the fielding and batting honors.
The awards season officially kicked off Tuesday, when the winners of the AL Gold Gloves were announced, and no Indians players were on the list. The AL Silver Slugger award winners will be named Thursday, and the BBWAA award winners, which include the Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, Manager of the Year and MVP, will begin being named Monday.
Thus will end the Indians' run of Cy Young winners. After a 35-year drought between Cy Young winners from the organization, the Tribe scored two straight with CC Sabathia in 2007 and Cliff Lee in 2008. Both, of course, were traded elsewhere in the season following their Cy Young triumphs.
Although the Tribe used 14 rookies and fielded a roster with 12 rookies at season's end -- tied for the most in the Majors -- none of them contributed prominently enough for serious consideration for Rookie of the Year.
Two-time Gold Glove winner Grady Sizemore, who also won a Silver Slugger trophy last year, had an '09 season marred by elbow and groin injuries that required two surgeries in September. With his performance hampered and his season cut short, Sizemore is doubtful to be in the mix for an award.
Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo, who was the only American Leaguer to hit .300 with 20 homers and 20 steals, might one day emerge as a Silver Slugger winner. But for now, he'll receive a simple pat on the back for a strong offensive showing in his first full season in the big leagues.
The Tribe might have had a Comeback Player of the Year candidate in Carl Pavano, but he was dealt to the Twins in August.
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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