Sometimes I think the Rookie of the Year award is like the Grammy's Best New Artist award; occasionally the recipients will have successful careers, but most of the time they fade into obscurity. So for comparing and contrasting purposes here's a list of rookie winners and how they parallel each other.
2004's BNA winner, Evanescence, is currently struggling to retain fan loyalty and critics' approval.
2004's AL ROY, Bobby Crosby, is currently struggling with getting on base and strikeouts.
1998's BNA winner, Paula Cole, has just released a new album after eight years of studio inactivity.
1998's NL ROY, Kerry Wood, recently returned to the Cubs' bullpen after a full season of Major League inactivity.
1996's BNA winner, Hootie & the Blowfish, still periodically releases albums despite nobody really paying any attention.
1996's NL ROY, Todd Hollandsworth, still periodically makes big league appearances (though he's yet to be seen this season) despite nobody really paying any attention.
1992, Marc "Walking in Memphis" Cohn, one-hit wonder.
1992, Pat "NL ROY" Listach, one-season wonder.
1988, Jody Watley
1988, Walt Weiss (in the AL) and Chris Sabo (in the NL)
It was a slow year for everybody.
1984's BNA winner, Culture Club, was wildly successful, but drug use (including well-publicized heroin addictions by frontman Boy George) tore the band apart and hindered the members' musical ability.
1984's NL ROY winner, Doc Gooden, was wildly successful, but drug use (including well-publicized cocaine addictions by the Doc) hindered his pitching ability.
1981's BNA winner, Christopher Cross, had a hit song ("Ride Like the Wind") about going to Mexico.
1981's NL ROY winner, Fernando Valenzuela, was born in Mexico.
1975's BNA winner, Marvin Hamlisch, became the first person to win three Academy Awards in one night.
1975's AL ROY winner, Fred Lynn, became the first person to win the Rookie of the Year award and the Most Valuable Player award in the same season.
In 1967, despite the six nominees, there was no Best New Artist winner. This had never happened in the category before or since.
In 1967 the ROY recipients were Tom Seaver and Rod Carew, both Hall of Famers. This was the last time the two ROY awards went to eventual HOFs.
The 1966 BNA winner was Tom Jones.
The two 1966 ROY winners were Tommy Helms and Tommie Agee.
It was a great year for Toms.
On the other hand, sometimes there's absolutely no relationship whatsoever between the two awards.
1993, Arrested Development... what ever happened to them?
1993, Derek Jeter... 'nuff said.
The career of 1990 BNA winner Milli Vanilli crashed and burned in a fiery scandelous explosion.
The career of 1990 AL ROY winner Sandy Alomar just keeps on going and going.
2004's BNA winner, Evanescence, is currently struggling to retain fan loyalty and critics' approval.
2004's AL ROY, Bobby Crosby, is currently struggling with getting on base and strikeouts.
1998's BNA winner, Paula Cole, has just released a new album after eight years of studio inactivity.
1998's NL ROY, Kerry Wood, recently returned to the Cubs' bullpen after a full season of Major League inactivity.
1996's BNA winner, Hootie & the Blowfish, still periodically releases albums despite nobody really paying any attention.
1996's NL ROY, Todd Hollandsworth, still periodically makes big league appearances (though he's yet to be seen this season) despite nobody really paying any attention.
1992, Marc "Walking in Memphis" Cohn, one-hit wonder.
1992, Pat "NL ROY" Listach, one-season wonder.
1988, Jody Watley1988, Walt Weiss (in the AL) and Chris Sabo (in the NL)
It was a slow year for everybody.
1984's BNA winner, Culture Club, was wildly successful, but drug use (including well-publicized heroin addictions by frontman Boy George) tore the band apart and hindered the members' musical ability.
1984's NL ROY winner, Doc Gooden, was wildly successful, but drug use (including well-publicized cocaine addictions by the Doc) hindered his pitching ability.
1981's BNA winner, Christopher Cross, had a hit song ("Ride Like the Wind") about going to Mexico.
1981's NL ROY winner, Fernando Valenzuela, was born in Mexico.
1975's BNA winner, Marvin Hamlisch, became the first person to win three Academy Awards in one night.
1975's AL ROY winner, Fred Lynn, became the first person to win the Rookie of the Year award and the Most Valuable Player award in the same season.
In 1967, despite the six nominees, there was no Best New Artist winner. This had never happened in the category before or since.
In 1967 the ROY recipients were Tom Seaver and Rod Carew, both Hall of Famers. This was the last time the two ROY awards went to eventual HOFs.
The 1966 BNA winner was Tom Jones.
The two 1966 ROY winners were Tommy Helms and Tommie Agee.
It was a great year for Toms.
On the other hand, sometimes there's absolutely no relationship whatsoever between the two awards.
1993, Arrested Development... what ever happened to them?1993, Derek Jeter... 'nuff said.
The career of 1990 BNA winner Milli Vanilli crashed and burned in a fiery scandelous explosion.
The career of 1990 AL ROY winner Sandy Alomar just keeps on going and going.
