Mark McGwire Is Unanimous Choice as American League’s Rookie of Year

Oakland Athletics first baseman Mark McGwire, whose 49 home runs set a major league record for a first-year player, was unanimously selected Rookie of the Year in the American League, the Baseball Writers Assn. of America announced Tuesday.

McGwire, the choice of all 28 voters, is the second unanimous selection in the 40-year history of the award. Carlton Fisk of the Boston Red Sox was the first, in 1972.

McGwire’s selection marked the first time since 1958-59 that players from the same team won the AL award in consecutive seasons. Oakland’s Jose Canseco was the 1986 recipient. The Washington Senators’ Albie Pearson and Bob Allison were the last to be selected in consecutive seasons.

McGwire earned 140 points to 64 for the runner-up, third baseman Kevin Seitzer of the Kansas City Royals. Catcher Matt Nokes of the Detroit Tigers was third with 32 points.

McGwire broke Al Rosen’s AL rookie home-run mark of 37, set with the Cleveland Indians in 1950, then broke the major league record of 38 set by Wally Berger of the Boston Braves in 1930 and tied by Frank Robinson of the Cincinnati Reds in 1956.

McGwire wound up tying the Chicago Cubs’ Andre Dawson for the major league home run lead while driving in 118 runs and batting .289.