Greg Holland wins first Mariano Rivera Award
 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-...o-rivera-award

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Back in April, Major League Baseball announced that a new award would be handed out on an annual basis to the best relief pitcher in each league. The AL version of the award is now known as the Mariano Rivera Award, and the first winner of it is Royals closer Greg Holland.

The announcement was made by commissioner-to-be Rob Manfred before Game 2 of the 2014 World Series, with Craig Kimbrel winning the NL version, the Trevor Hoffman Award.

"This is a very humbling experience," said Holland. "You kinda get iffy any time your name is put on a plaque with these two guys [Rivera and Trevor Hoffman]."

Holland, 28, closed down 46 of his 48 save chances for the Royals with a 1.44 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 90 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings this season. For the second straight time, he was named an All-Star.

Nice

Bullshit that Wade Davis wasn't in the running. In what world is Betances better than Davis?

Quite frankly Davis had the best stats of any relief pitcher, but i think it's based solely on saves.

Betsnces is not a closer. He had 1 save all season.

I love me some Holland and respect me some Betances .... but Wade Davis was literally robbed here. He was, hands down, the best reliever in Major League Baseball this year

Good for Holland

Maybe they should have a Mariano Rivera setup award (back when they had Wetteland, IIRC).

Figuratively robbed. Not literally.

They weren't giving an award named after two closers to a set up guy. Davis will win the rolaids award

Never mind. Didn't realize the rolaids was gone. If same criteria used as that award, Davis had no shot as it gave 3 point for save, 2 for win.

Then why was Betances in the running?

Wade Davis won the Jim Johnson Award, which is an even bigger honor.

Congrats Holland-what an honor!!

It's too bad Derek Jeter couldn't have lived long enough to see this....