TSN names Bonds player of the year

ST. LOUIS -- Home run king Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants has been named player of the year by The Sporting News, the publication announced Tuesday.

It marked the second time Bonds won the award. He also won in 1990 while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"It's a tremendous award, and it's very much appreciated because all the players voted for it," Bonds said. "I'm honored."

Bonds hit a record 73 homers in 2001, topping Mark McGwire's three-year-old record of 70. Bonds also set records for slugging percentage (.863) and walks (177). Both records were previously held by Babe Ruth.

In voting by major league players, Bonds received 133 votes to finish well ahead of runner-up Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs, who received 57. Arizona's Luis Gonzalez was third with 48.

The Sporting News also announced several other baseball awards.

Managers of the year were Seattle's Lou Piniella in the American League and Philadelphia's Larry Bowa in the National League. Piniella guided the Mariners to a record-tying 116 wins, though they lost to the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Bowa's Phillies finished second in the NL East.

Pitchers of the year were Roger Clemens of the Yankees and Curt Schilling of the Diamondbacks. Firemen of the year (combined wins and saves) were Mariano Rivera of the Yankees and a tie between Robb Nenn of San Francisco and Armando Benitez of the New York Mets.

Rookies of the year were Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki and Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Rookie pitcher award winners were Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia and Houston's Roy Oswalt.

Comeback players of the year were Ruben Sierra of the Texas Rangers and Matt Morris of St. Louis.

The postseason awards will appear in The Sporting News' Oct. 29 edition, which appears on newsstands this week.