Buster Posey Wins NL Rookie Of The Year Award

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey was named the 2010 National League Rookie of the Year today becoming the first former San Jose Giant to win the award. Posey hit .305 with 18 home runs and 67 RBI's during the regular season in addition to serving as the everyday catcher for a pitching staff that led all of baseball in earned run average. Posey received 20 first place votes among the 32 ballots. Voting was done by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Posey is the second former San Jose Giant to win a major postseason award. Tim Lincecum, who played in San Jose during the 2006 season, was the National League Cy Young Award winner in 2008 and 2009. The last San Francisco Giant to win the Rookie of the Year Award was John Montefusco in 1975. Posey is the sixth player in franchise history to win Rookie of the Year joining Montefusco, Gary Matthews and Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda and Willie McCovey.

Posey began the 2010 campaign in Triple-A Fresno before debuting in the big leagues on May 29. Posey spent the month of June as San Francisco's primary starter at first base before taking over behind the plate when Bengie Molina was traded to Texas on July 1. At the time of the trade, the Giants owned a 42-40 record before finishing 52-32 en route to winning the National League West.

Posey's best month of the season came in July when he put together a 21-game hitting streak and batted .417 overall with seven home runs and 24 RBI's in 27 games. For his efforts, he was named the National League Player of the Month. Posey was also the catcher during San Francisco's remarkable run of allowing three runs or fewer in 18 straight games - the longest streak since the 1917 Chicago White Sox.

Voting for the award was done at the conclusion of the regular season. Posey though continued his stellar year during the playoffs hitting .288 with a home run and five RBI's to help the Giants win their first World Series title since 1954.

Posey was a member of the California League championship San Jose team in 2009. The former first round draft pick hit .326 with 13 home runs and 58 RBI's to earn All-Star honors before receiving a promotion to Fresno in July.