David Price won the American League Cy Young Award in the closest vote ever for a single winner.  In 1969, Mike Cuellar and Denny McClain shared the honor.  With his voice quivering and his knees knocking, the southpaw from Vanderbilt was, as always, humble in his acceptance.  He thanked everyone he could think of, but singled out pitching coach Jim Hickey.

Anyone who knows Price knows that he is a character, and enjoys loves the game, whether he’s on the bump or not.  His self-effacing acceptance  of pitching’s greatest honor, as well as his obvious respect for Hickey, showed the baseball world outside of the Rays’ domain what a first-class individual he is.  The scary thing is that before the award was announced, DP spoke of how he hoped to continue to improve his game.  Scary thought for opposing hitters.

Thanks, David.  You’ve earned it.  Sometimes, the good guy does win.

And if you’re a National League fan, R.A. Dickey took honors.  At thirty-eight, he’s the first knuckleballer to win the award.  I don’t think either league could have been represented by better individuals.