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SEATTLE - Until a month ago, Damon Hollins wasn't in
the Devil Rays' plans.
Now he's the American League rookie of the month.
Hollins was honored Thursday by a vote of media who
cover AL teams and will receive a trophy.
He led all AL rookies in May with a .325 average,
six home runs, five stolen bases, 19 runs, 48 total
bases and a .600 slugging percentage. His 15 RBIs
were tied with Chicago's Tadahito Iguchi for the
league lead, and his .368 on-base percentage was
second.
Hollins, 30, an outfielder who spent most of the
past 10 seasons at Triple A, was called up May2 and
immediately made an impact with his play and
toughness. In just 28 games, he is tied with Jorge
Cantu for the team home run lead and ranks sixth
with 17 RBIs.
Among AL centerfielders, only Toronto's Vernon Wells
had more homers (seven). Among AL outfielders, only
New York's Gary Sheffield had a higher slugging
percentage (.625).
"It's very well deserving," Rays general manager
Chuck LaMar said. "Speaking for Lou (Piniella) and
everyone in the organization, you just pull for a
young man who plays the game like Damon Hollins
plays it. Hopefully he continues to perform as well
as he has. We like his makeup and we like his
toughness. It's as much of a thrill for us as it is
for him."
Hollins is the second Devil Ray to win the monthly
rookie award, joining Rocco Baldelli who won in
April and May 2003.
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