Hershiser Is Overwhelming Choice as AP Male Athlete of the Year

Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year Tuesday, becoming the first non-Olympian since Denny McLain in 1968 to earn the honor in an Olympic year.

Hershiser, who set a record with 59 consecutive shutout innings and pitched the Dodgers to the World Series title, is the 22nd baseball player to win in the 58-year history of the award and the first since Dwight Gooden in 1985.

Hershiser had 67 first-place ballots and 465 points, nearly twice as many as Jose Canseco, who finished second. The Oakland Athletics outfielder had 30 first-place votes and 233 points.

Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders was third with 207, followed by Olympic swimmer Matt Biondi with 152, National Basketball Assn. star Michael Jordan with 91 and Olympic diver Greg Louganis with 59.

Voting was done by sportswriters and broadcasters, with 5 points awarded for their first choice, 3 for second and 1 for third.

“This caps a year of fantastic awards,” Hershiser said. “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized with an award which covers all sports.”