Stephen Tarpley wins 2019 James P. Dawson Award

The New York Yankees today announced that left-handed pitcher Stephen Tarpley is the recipient of the 2019 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the most outstanding Yankees rookie in Spring Training.

Tarpley, 26, held opponents scoreless in 11.1 innings pitched over 10 Spring Training appearances (one start), allowing just 6H and 1BB with 8K, and was the only Yankee to toss at least 10.0 innings this spring without giving up a run. The Los Angeles, Calif., native made his Major League debut with the Yankees in 2018.

The award was established in honor of James P. Dawson (1896-1953), who began a 45-year career with The New York Times as a copy boy in 1908. Eight years later, he became boxing editor and covered boxing and baseball until his death during spring training in 1953.

Two winners of the honor, Tony Kubek in 1957 and Tom Tresh in 1962, went on to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Dawson Award first was presented to rookie Norm Siebern by Manager Casey Stengel in St. Petersburg, Fla., at the conclusion of Spring Training in 1956. New York Yankees beat writers vote on the winner.

In conjunction with the award, Tarpley received a watch from Betteridge Jewelers.