Reliever Greg Holland named 2013 Bruce Rice Royals Pitcher of the Year

The Kansas City Royals have announced that right-handed reliever Greg Holland has been named the 2013 Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year. The award was voted on by the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA).

Holland, who will turn 28 on November 20, earned his second consecutive Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year award after a record-setting season. The North Carolina native set a franchise mark with 47 saves, topping the previous best of 45 by Dan Quisenberry (1983) and Jeff Montgomery (1993). Holland made his first All-Star team while finishing third in the Majors in saves. He led MLB with 40 saves from May 30 to the end of the season and converted 31 opportunities in a row from May 30 to September 3. His 1.21 ERA set a club record for a reliever, besting Montgomery's 1.37 mark in 1989. Holland's 103 strikeouts matched a 42-year old club record for a reliever while his 13.84 strikeouts per 9.0 innings topped his own franchise best from 2012. Holland was named MLB Delivery Man of the Month for July and September along with Royals Pitcher of the Month in May, June and July.
On October 31, the Royals announced that right-handed pitcher James Shields won the 2013 Joe Burke Special Achievement award. Tomorrow, the club will announce the 2013 Les Milgram Player of the Year at noon CT.

For more information, members of the media may contact the Royals Media Relations Department at (816) 921-8000.