Jose Abreu named Rookie of the Year; World Series thoughts

Jul 12, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Ccongratulations is in order for Jose Abreu in being honored as the Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year for his very successful 2014 season with the Chicago White Sox.

In the article by SS, we spoke about the season of Abreu, and how he most likely has even more greatness to come, but I felt it was in order to congratulate Abreu on the award in this daily column as well.

Abreu said the following in a conference call with reporters, as posted in an article on whitesox.com:

"“I want to say thank you to God and the Chicago White Sox and all the people that have helped me to get this award. I’m very humbled to receive this award. I thank all the players who voted for me for this award.”"

It isn’t every day the White Sox have a rookie who has a .317 batting average with 36 home runs and 35 doubles, so a little bit more extra praise is always in order with a player of his caliber.

His ’15 season should be just as exciting … maybe even more.

Now for the World Series … that wasn’t the best of starts for one James Shields and the AL Champion Kansas City Royals on Tuesday evening at Kauffman Stadium in the first game of the Fall Classic.

The San Francisco Giants on the other hand looked like a team that had been there before (as they won by a 7-1 score), and didn’t let the pressures of the World Series atmosphere get to them at all.

Oct 21, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) is relieved by manager Ned Yost (bottom left) in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants during game one of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

It also helped the Giants had Madison Bumgarner on the mound, plus the Giants’ offense hit the baseball very well in Game 1 of the Fall Classic, totaling 10 hits, compared to the four by the Royals.

As the winning pitcher, Bumgarner went seven strong innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk. He also struck out five and allowed one home run.

On the other side, Shields pitched just three innings in his start. Shields gave up five earned runs on seven hits and one walk. He also allowed one home run and earned one strikeout.

Former White Sox reliever Jason Frasor pitched one inning of relief for the Royals, where he allowed no runs with one walk and one strikeout.

It wasn’t the best way to start a World Series for the Royals, but the AL champions are far from being finished in the Series. It won’t be easy, but I believe the Royals will be much more competitive in Wednesday night’s Game 2.

Speaking of former White Sox pitchers, tonight will be Jake Peavy pitching for the Giants, who pitched for the White Sox from 2009-13. He’ll be facing Yordano Ventura of the Royals.

Last season, the White Sox traded Peavy to the Boston Red Sox where he helped them win the World Series championship.