Goose Gossage Award ballot

The Victoria Seals Baseball Blog (VSBB) is a proud member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (BBA). This year, the VSBB has the honour of casting the Other Baseball Chapter ballot for each of the five awards given to players and managers in both the National and American Leagues.

On Friday, we posted our ballot for the Willie Mays Award, presented to the top rookie in each league. This morning, the alliance announced the results: San Francisco's Buster Posey and Neftali Perez of the Texas Rangers were named the winners in their respective leagues. Today we present the VSBB ballot for the Goose Gossage Award, presented to the top reliever in each league. Casting the ballot on behalf of the VSBB is guest blogger Michael Poplawski.

National League

Brian Wilson was the ace of the pennant-winning Giants' excellent bullpen, earning 48 saves in 53 opportunities to be the Giants' reliable ace. Key stats: 70 G, 74.2 IP, 62 H, 26 BB, 93 SO, 1.81 ERA, 1.18 WHIP.

Heath Bell also had an excellent season, leading the NL in Save Percentage with 47 saves in 50 opportunities for the surprising San Diego Padres. Key stats: 67 G, 70 IP, 56 H, 28 BB, 86 SO, 1.93 ERA, 1.20 WHIP.

The Chicago Cubs' Carlos Marmol had one of the more spectacular relief seasons in recent memory, striking out 16.0 per nine innings and saving 38 games in 43 opportunities. Key stats: 77 G, 77 IP, 40 H, 52 BB, 138 SO, 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP.

Honourable mention to the Los Angeles Dodgers' Hong-Chih Kuo, who was nearly unhittable throughout the season and earning a save in his final twelve save opportunities taking over for Jonathan Broxton to go along with 21 holds. Key stats: 56 G, 60 IP, 29 H, 18 BB, 73 SO, 1.20 ERA, 0.78 WHIP.

I'll give the edge to Wilson for the slight advantages in appearances and innings for a pennant-winner over the NL West runner-up.

1. Brian Wilson, SF Giants
2. Heath Bell, SD Padres
3. Carlos Marmol, Chicago Cubs

American League

Rafael Soriano led the AL in Save Opportunities (48) and Saves (45) for the AL East-winning Tampa Bay Rays. Key stats: 64 G, 62.1 IP, 36 H, 14 BB, 57 SO, 1.73 ERA, 0.80 WHIP.

Joakim Soria had another outstanding season as the Kansas City Royals' ace. Key stats: 66 G, 65.2 IP, 53 H, 16 BB, 71 SO, 43 Saves in 46 Opportunities, 1.78 ERA, 1.05 WHIP.

Daniel Bard pitched brilliantly in a setup role for the Boston Red Sox, leading the AL with 32 holds. Key stats: 73 G, 74.2 IP, 45 H, 30 BB, 76 SO, 1.93 ERA, 1.00 WHIP.

Honourable mention to Texas Rangers rookie Neftali Feliz who had an excellent season as the closer for the AL West winners. Key stats: 70 G, 69.1 IP, 43 H, 18 BB, 71 SO, 40 Saves in 43 Opportunities, 2.73 ERA, 0.88 WHIP.

As in the National League, I've gone with the pennant-winner who also happened to do slightly more than the runner-up in a few more opportunities.

1. Rafael Soriano, Tampa Bay Rays
2. Joakim Soria, KC Royals
3. Daniel Bard, Boston Red Sox

- Michael Poplawski