Southside Showdown
Fansided

White Sox: Well-deserved Hank Aaron Award for Jose Abreu

By Vincent Parise

CHICAGO - JULY 13: Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox react after Abreu made a putout saving Anderson from being charged with an error during a summer workout intrasquad game as part of Major League Baseball Spring Training 2.0 on July 13, 2020 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
CHICAGO - JULY 13: Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox react after Abreu made a putout saving Anderson from being charged with an error during a summer workout intrasquad game as part of Major League Baseball Spring Training 2.0 on July 13, 2020 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox is well-deserving of the Hank Aaron Award.

The 2020 season was the gift that keeps on giving for Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox. We are well into December and he is still earning awards for his year. This time, it is the Hank Aaron Award which goes to the most outstanding offensive performer in each league. Jose Abreu is the American League’s winner for the first time in his career and it is quite an accomplishment. Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves is the National League recipient.

Abreu is the first Cuban born player and the first-ever White Sox player to win the Hank Aaron Award. He joins Mike Trout as the only two players ever to win this award along with the AL Most Valuable Player, AL Rookie of the Year, and Silver Slugger honors. That is an elite company as Trout is one of the greatest players who ever lived. Jose Abreu is truly special in every way.

How did Abreu do it? Well, he just had one of the best 60 game stretches in the history of baseball. He led the league with 60 RBIs in 60 games. He also led the league in hits, total bases, and slugging percentage. He hit 19 home runs and had 43 runs scored. He had a slash line of .317/.370/.617 with an OPS of .987. His 2.8 WAR reflects all of that work which landed him the MVP Award for 2020.

After looking at all of those numbers, it makes sense why he would win an award like the Hank Aaron Award which goes to an offensive player. Any time you are mentioned in the same breath as the great Henry Aaron, you are doing something right. This is a tremendous honor for Abreu and something he should be very proud of.

Hot. Adam Eaton is back with the Chicago White Sox. light

Jose is already one of the greatest players in the history of the Chicago White Sox. He is a big piece to their team in the present as they try hard to go after a World Series in the next three years. If they do reach that feat, it will be with Abreu leading the way. He is truly deserving of all this love for his play, but also because he is a fantastic human being.

Home/White Sox News