Street, Howard Top Rookies

Closer Huston Street became the second consecutive American League rookie-of-the-year award winner from the Oakland Athletics, and first baseman Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies won the National League award on Monday.

Street didn’t have to look far for inspiration. The previous AL winner was his roommate this season, A’s shortstop Bobby Crosby. “Maybe he rubbed off,” Street said.

Street, who took over as Oakland’s closer in May, got 15 of 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America and finished with 97 points. New York Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano came in second with 57 points, followed by Tampa Bay designated hitter Jonny Gomes with 39.

Called up from the minors for good on July 1, Howard replaced injured star Jim Thome at first base and led all rookies with 22 home runs. He received 19 of 32 first-place votes and 109 points to beat out Houston outfielder Willy Taveras, who got 78 points. Atlanta right fielder Jeff Francoeur was third with 60.

Both top rookies got a chance to play in the big leagues this season only because teammates got injured. “Things just started falling in,” Howard said. “You never want to see anyone hurt or injured, but I just came up and tried to make the most of my opportunity.”

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Major league officials will announce today that the Angels will play host to second-round games in the World Baseball Classic next spring, opting for Angel Stadium as the ideal location for games that could feature the U.S., Mexico, Japan and South Korea.

The Angels sold a record 27,500 season tickets last season, and Angel President Dennis Kuhl said those fans would get first chance to buy WBC tickets.

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The Chicago Cubs exercised their options for next season on second baseman Todd Walker and reliever Scott Williamson. Walker will earn $2.5 million. Williamson will earn $2 million.... Left-handed reliever Scott Sauerbeck agreed to a $1.2-million, one-year contract with Cleveland. He was 1-0 with a 4.04 earned-run average last season.... The Baltimore Orioles hired Lee Elia as bench coach and moved third base coach Rick Dempsey to the bullpen.

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Hundreds of fans gathered in St. Louis as a five-ton wrecking ball began the process of tearing down Busch Stadium, the longtime home of the Cardinals.

“It was sickening,” longtime fan Mary Ann Budrovich said. “No turning back now.”

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Rookie voting

Voting for the American League and National League rookies of the year (first-, second- and third-place votes; and total points added on a 5-3-1 basis):

*--* AL PLAYERS 1st 2nd 3rd Tot Huston Street, Oak 15 6 4 97 Robinson Cano, NY 4 10 7 57 Jonny Gomes, TB 2 8 5 39 Tadahito Iguchi, Chi 5 1 2 30 Gustavo Chacin, Tor 2 - 4 14 Nick Swisher, Oak - 2 - 6 Joe Blanton, Oak - 1 3 6 Jesse Crain, Min - - 2 2 Scott Kazmir, TB - - 1 1

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*--* NL PLAYERS 1st 2nd 3rd Tot Ryan Howard, Phi 19 3 5 109 Willy Taveras, Hou 7 11 10 78 Jeff Francouer, Atl 2 14 8 60 Garrett Atkins, Col 1 2 6 17 Zach Duke, Pit 3 - 1 16 Jeff Francis, Col - 1 - 3 Ricky Weeks, Mil - 1 - 3 Clint Barmes, Col - - 1 1 Jason Vargas, Fla - - 1 1

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