Johan Santana #57
Bench Warmer
Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has been named the Bank of America Presents the American League Player of the Week for the period ending May 20th. Bank of America, the Official Bank of Major League Baseball, is the presenting sponsor of the American League and National League Player of the Week Awards, which reflect the company's long-standing tradition of recognizing achievements that inspire us all to seize opportunities to perform at our very best.
In two starts spanning 17.0 innings, including a complete game, Matsuzaka went 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 11 strikeouts. On May 14th, against the defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers, Matsuzaka went the distance, giving up just one earned run on six hits. In the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday, Daisuke tossed eight innings, giving up three runs on nine hits while fanning six Atlanta hitters and walking none en route to the win. Matsuzaka is currently 6-2 with a 4.06 ERA in nine games started this season. This is the first weekly award in the Major League career of the Most Valuable Player of the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
Other candidates considered were Victor Diaz (.400, 1.050 SLG, 1 2B, 4 HR, 5 RBI) of the Rangers, Ichiro Suzuki (.577, 15 H, 8 SB) of the Mariners, Jorge Posada (.476, 1.000 SLG, 2 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI) of the Yankees and righthander Justin Verlander (2-0, 2.30 ERA, 10 SO, 15.2 IP) of the Tigers.
Tourneau, the world's largest watch store, has supplied Daisuke Matsuzaka with a luxury Swiss Tourneau timepiece in recognition of his achievements as player of the week.
In two starts spanning 17.0 innings, including a complete game, Matsuzaka went 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA and 11 strikeouts. On May 14th, against the defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers, Matsuzaka went the distance, giving up just one earned run on six hits. In the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday, Daisuke tossed eight innings, giving up three runs on nine hits while fanning six Atlanta hitters and walking none en route to the win. Matsuzaka is currently 6-2 with a 4.06 ERA in nine games started this season. This is the first weekly award in the Major League career of the Most Valuable Player of the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
Other candidates considered were Victor Diaz (.400, 1.050 SLG, 1 2B, 4 HR, 5 RBI) of the Rangers, Ichiro Suzuki (.577, 15 H, 8 SB) of the Mariners, Jorge Posada (.476, 1.000 SLG, 2 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI) of the Yankees and righthander Justin Verlander (2-0, 2.30 ERA, 10 SO, 15.2 IP) of the Tigers.
Tourneau, the world's largest watch store, has supplied Daisuke Matsuzaka with a luxury Swiss Tourneau timepiece in recognition of his achievements as player of the week.
