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Zobrist named Rays MVP by writers

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG – Ben Zobrist has done it all for the Rays this season, both at the plate and in the field, and for his efforts was voted the team's 2009 Most Valuable Player by the Tampa Bay chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

In other voting conducted by chapter members, Jeff Niemann was named the Outstanding Rookie and Carlos Peña won the Paul C. Smith Champion Award. The winners were announced prior to Saturday night's Rays-Yankees game at Tropicana Field.

Zobrist is hitting .295 with 27 homers and 91 RBIs with two games to play, coming of out nowhere to become an offensive force in an All-Star season while also starting at eight different positions.

Niemann is 12-6 with a 3.94 ERA heading into his 30th start and 31st appearance of the season tonight against the Yankees. He was a unanimous selection as the top rookie.

Peña won the Champion Award, which goes to the player who "best exemplifies the spirit of true professionalism on and off the field," for the second time in his three years with the Rays. Ten different players received votes for the Champion Award.

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