Berroa wins tight rookie award

Berroa won by just four votes

Kansas City shortstop Angel Berroa has won the American League's baseball Rookie of the Year award in the closest vote in 24 years.

Berroa got 88 points to beat New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui by four points in the vote by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Florida pitcher Dontrelle Willis won the National League award.

Berroa won 12 first-place votes, seven seconds and seven thirds to Matsui's 10 firsts, nine seconds and seven thirds.

It was the closest vote since the BBWAA adopted the current format in 1980, a year after Minnesota's John Castino and Toronto's Alfredo Griffin tied with seven votes each.

Berroa and Matsui were each picked on 26 of 28 ballots.

Berroa said: "When the second half of the season arrived, I listened to a lot of people, team-mates, coaches, managers. I tried to concentrate."

Willis now has a Rookie award to add to the Marlins' World Series win

Matsui, who played in Japan before moving to American this season, said: "I guess I just looked too old for a rookie," before adding: "I think he (Berroa) deserves to win."

In the NL, Willis received 17 first-place votes and 118 points, easily defeating Milwaukee outfielder Scott Podsednik, who got eight firsts and 81 points.

"I never thought I would make it to the big leagues so soon, let along have success," said Willis, who left high school in 2000.

Berroa hit .287 with 17 homers, 73 RBIs, 21 steals and 92 runs. Matsui batted .287 with 16 homers, 106 RBIs, two steals and 82 runs.