White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, GM Rick Hahn honored by Sporting News

White Sox Jose Abreu was named Sporting News Player of the Year and general manager Rick Hahn was named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News.

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Jose Abreu led the American League in hits, slugging percentage, total bases and RBI and was second in home runs in 2020.

Jose Abreu led the American League in hits, slugging percentage, total bases and RBI and was second in home runs in 2020.

Patrick Kunzer/Daily Herald via AP

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was named Sporting News Major League Baseball Player of the Year on Thursday.

General manager Rick Hahn was also honored by The Sporting News, earning the Executive of the Year award.

In a survey of 180 players, Abreu (47 votes), Indians right-hander Shane Bieber (25) and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (20) topped the voting.

Abreu, 33, posted a .317/.370/.617 hitting line with 19 home runs, 15 doubles and an American League high 60 RBI during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season, appearing in every game. He led the American League in hits (76), slugging percentage, total bases (148) and RBI and was second in home runs.

Abreu joins Frank Thomas (1993) and Early Wynn (1959) as White Sox to win the award. The Angels’ Mike Trout was the winner in 2019.

“I am honored to be recognized with this award as this is very special to me, my family and the White Sox organization,” Abreu said in a statement released by the team. “I want to thank God and everybody who voted for me. This award really means a lot to me and is humbling because it comes from my fellow players. I never think about awards and my goal is always to do the best I can to help my teammates and the Chicago White Sox, and of course to make my mom and family proud. To get this recognition is a surprise and one that make me feel very happy.”

Hahn joins Roland Hemond (1972) and Bill Veeck (1977) as the only Sox executives to receive the honor, which was first awarded in 1936. In the fourth year of their rebuild, the Sox finished 35-25, tied for second in the AL Central, and reached the postseason for the first time since 2008.

“I am humbled by this honor — both because of the list of previous winners but also due to the absence of the names of so many of my co-workers who should join my name on this year’s award,” Hahn said. “I view this award as recognition of excellent work by many across the entire White Sox organization to set us up for a bright future. We don’t win this award without what Kenny Williams has meant to this organization for the past three decades nor without the tireless work and dedication of our scouts, player development personnel, coaches, clubhouse staff and front office personnel to whom I am indebted.”

Eighteen executives cast votes, with Hahn receiving six. Padres general manager A.J. Preller was second with four votes and Dodgers president Andrew Friedman and Rays GM Erik Neander received three votes each. Marlins president Michael Hill and A’s GM David Forst received one vote.

Abreu was named Sporting News as the Rookie of the Year in 2014. He was named a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award on Wednesday, given to the outstanding offensive performer in each league, and is a leading candidate for the AL Most Valuable Player Award which will be announced in November.

“This is the first of what should be a number of deserving awards for José following his 2020 season,” Hahn said. “Despite the unprecedented circumstances of the season, José set the tone for our club day after day with his preparation and performance. He was a dominant force in our lineup and deserves recognition from across the baseball world.”

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