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By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 25, 2001
There is no quicker way out of town than winning the Rays MVP award. Presented by the local Baseball Writers Association of America chapter, the award seems to carry a curse.
Quinton McCracken wins the inaugural award after hitting .292 with 38 doubles and 59 RBI. A year later he sustained a career-threatening knee injury. By 2000 he was playing in the minors, then released.
Closer Roberto Hernandez saves 43 games, makes the All-Star team and wins Rays MVP. He survives the 2000 season but is traded in January in a deal that brings Ben Grieve to Tampa Bay.
Signed as a free agent in the off-season, Gerald Williams has a career year with a .274 average, 21 home runs and 89 RBI. Two months into the next season, he is on the bench. Sunday, he was released.