BBA KC Chapter Nominates Jose Valverde for Goose Gossage Award

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance created the Goose Gossage Award to recognize the outstanding relivers of the American and National Leagues. As bullpen usage and closers become more and more ingrained in the game of baseball, their impact increases, and the best of the best should be recognized.

The Kansas City Chapter of the BBA put it to a vote, and while our hearts wanted to nominate Joakim Soria (a solid contender each year until this season) or Greg Holland (who was seriously good), the voting went a different direction.

Despite his ridiculous pre-mound antics, Jose Valverde converted every save opportunity he faced in 2011 for a team that may end up in the World Series. That was enough to earn him our nomination.

Mariano Rivera, who overtook the career saves record, was second in the ballot and  the electric Neftali Feliz was third.

Baseball Bloggers Alliance – Kansas City Chapter

Ballpark Thinking | Twitter
Broken Bat Single | Twitter | Facebook
i70 Baseball | Twitter | Facebook
Kings of Kauffman | Twitter | Facebook
Royalscentricity | Twitter | Facebook
Royals Kingdom | Twitter | Facebook
Royals On Radio Etc. | Facebook

Michael Engel is the president of the KC Chapter of the BBA. You can stay current on all the Kings of Kauffman content and news by following us on Twitter, Facebook, or by way of our RSS feed.