Marlins Select Team Award Winners
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – The Florida Marlins are in dead last in the National League East as the season comes to an end, but that doesn't mean the team didn't have some solid individual efforts this season.
According to the Palm Beach Post, the Marlins selected hard-hitting outfielder Mike Stanton as the team's Most Valuable Player for 2011.
It's easy to see why Stanton was the winner. He was a man among boys when he made contact with the ball this season. He's likely to finish fifth in the National League in home runs with 34, which is the most of any Marlin this season.
Stanton's towering shots during batting practice made his swings a must-see before every game. The scary part for Marlins' opponents is that Stanton is just 22-years-old and finishing his first full season in the majors.
In addition, the Marlins selected Emilio Bonifacio as the team's Jeff Conine Award, which is for heart and hustle, according to the Post. Bonifacio played nearly every position on the field this season and had a career year.
The 26-year-old Bonifacio had hit .270 for his career but put together an excellent summer to finish the season with a batting average of .298 to lead the Marlins. Bonifacio finishes the season ranked second in the National League in stolen bases with 40.
The team also selected catcher John Buck as the "Charlie Hough Good Guy" award and relief pitcher Steve Cishek as the team's rookie of the year, according to the Post.
