LeMahieu named BBWAA's NY Player of Year

NEW YORK -- DJ LeMahieu arrived in the Big Apple without a set position, relying upon his bat-to-ball prowess to not only earn a place in the Yankees’ lineup, but as the team’s most valuable player. For the second consecutive season, the standout infielder is being recognized as the “New York Player of the Year.”

LeMahieu will receive the honor from the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, which announced the voting results of its annual awards this week. The award carries the names of longtime sportswriters Sid Mercer and Dick Young.

The 32-year-old LeMahieu paced the Majors with a .364 batting average (71-for-195), marking his second career batting title. He led the American League in on-base percentage (.421), OPS (1.011), OPS+ (177), wRC+ (177) and wOBA (.429), ranking fifth in the AL with a 2.5 fWAR.

“If you add up the last two years in Major League Baseball, he's on the short list of short lists for being the best player in the sport -- he's been that impactful,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “In the biggest moments, he always seems to deliver. He's just been a great player for us.”

Yankees left-hander Zack Britton will receive the Ben Epstein/Dan Castellano “Good Guy” Award, while Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton has been selected as the recipient of the Joan Payson/Shannon Forde Award for community service.

The late Whitey Ford will be recognized, along with the late Tom Seaver, with the Casey Stengel “You Could Look It Up” Award.

Due to the pandemic, the BBWAA New York chapter will be unable to host its awards dinner in January, an event that has been held annually since 1924 and has featured the sport’s best and brightest personalities.

Here is a full list of this year’s award recipients:

Joe DiMaggio "Toast of the Town" Award
Dom Smith, Mets

William J. Slocum/Jack Lang Award for Long & Meritorious Service
George A. King III

Arthur & Milton Richman "You Gotta Have Heart" Award
Anthony Causi

Willie, Mickey & the Duke Award
Steve Karsay and Mike Piazza

Ben Epstein/Dan Castellano "Good Guy" Award
Zack Britton, Yankees

Babe Ruth Award for Postseason MVP
Randy Arozarena, Rays

Joan Payson/Shannon Forde Award for Community Service
Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees

Casey Stengel "You Could Look It Up" Award
Whitey Ford and Tom Seaver

Sid Mercer/Dick Young New York Player of the Year
DJ LeMahieu, Yankees