Coghlan named National League's top rookie

Florida Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan, the former East Lake High School standout, counted his blessings after winning the National League Rookie of the Year award on Monday.

But in quiet moments, he realized his honor fell short of the perfect occasion. His father didn't live to see it.

"I know my dad is watching with a smile on his face," said Coghlan, speaking about his father, Tim, who was killed in a 2001 car accident, days before the player's 16th birthday. "It makes me smile because he was the one who instilled the work ethic and taught me the game. I know he's proud. He's definitely a big part of it."

Called up from Triple-A on May 8, Coghlan led NL rookies in batting average (.321), runs (84), hits (162), total bases (232) and on-base percentage (.390). He got 17 first-place votes and 105 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America to edge Philadelphia Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ, the only player picked on all 32 ballots. Happ had 10 first-place votes and 94 points.

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, a graduate of Fort Meade High School, was fourth.

Meanwhile, Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Andrew Bailey, who had 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA, was named American League Rookie of the Year. Bailey had 13 first-place votes and 88 points, while the runner-up, Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, had 65 points.

Rays right-hander Jeff Niemann, who had a 13-6 record with a 3.94 ERA, was fourth with 21 points (five second-place votes, six third-place votes).

Coghlan, who played third base at Ole Miss, then became an effective second baseman in the minor leagues, was shifted to left field with the Marlins. It allowed him to play immediately in the majors - two-time All-Star Dan Uggla was entrenched at second - and Coghlan's bat showed everyone that he belonged.

Coghlan had 113 hits after the All-Star break, tying him with Juan Pierre (2004) and Bill Buckner (1980) for the most in the NL in the past 45 years. He had 47 hits in August, breaking a club record for one month and getting the most hits by an NL rookie in any month since Wally Moon of the St. Louis Cardinals collected 52 in July 1954.

Then he had 47 hits in September, immediately tying his own club record. The last rookie to collect that many September hits was Phillies right fielder Chuck Klein, who had 50 in September 1928.