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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 8, 2001
ST. PETERSBURG -- Tanyon Sturtze didn't have overly impressive stats, but the Rays' most consistent pitcher this season was named their most valuable player by the local chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America on Sunday.
Sturtze, who came out of the bullpen in May, led the staff in victories and innings (195 1/3). He finished 11-12 with a 4.42 ERA, and the Rays were 15-12 in games he started.
"It's awesome," Sturtze said. "It wasn't expected. I'm happy it happened. I thought I worked hard to do what I did. It's nice to see that people notice that."
He finished first in balloting among newspaper and wire service writers who cover the team regularly, with outfielder Jason Tyner second and outfielder/designated hitter Greg Vaughn third.
BBWAA members voted pitcher Joe Kennedy the team's outstanding rookie, with second baseman Brent Abernathy second and reliever Victor Zambrano third.
Infielder Russ Johnson was selected winner of the Champion Award, given to the player "who best exemplifies the spirit of true professionalism on and off the field."
Last season, Gerald Williams was voted MVP, Steve Cox outstanding rookie and Vaughn the Champion Award.
TURN OF THE CENTURY: The difference between a 100-loss season and a 63-win season for the Rays was a 99 mph fastball.
Yankees centerfielder Clay Bellinger drilled Jesus Colome's 2-and-2 pitch into the leftfield stands to give New York a 1-0 lead in the eighth and hand Tampa Bay its first 100-loss season in franchise history.
Orlando Hernandez, scheduled to pitch Game 4 of the Yankees' division series against Oakland this week, pitched four innings in relief and allowed one hit for the win before an announced 24,075 at Tropicana Field.
"The pitchers had their way today," Rays manager Hal McRae said. "Total domination by the pitchers."
That included the Rays' Paul Wilson. In his final start of the season, he allowed two hits over seven innings.
The performance capped an impressive second half for the right-hander, who was sent to the bullpen after a 2-7 start and went 8-3 after he rejoined the rotation in July.
"It was a nice turnaround," he said. "I felt I was part of the reason we had the first half we did and I feel I'm part of the reason why we had the second half we did."
HE'S BACK: The Rays activated pitcher Juan Guzman from the 60-day disabled list and immediately released him. Infielder Bobby Smith's contract was purchased from Triple-A Durham, and he was placed on the 40-man roster.
Smith, one of Tampa Bay's few remaining expansion picks still with the organization, was the opening day starter at second base before being dispatched to the minors after six games.
Guzman pitched 12/3 innings in his two seasons with the Rays.
STREAK CONTINUES: The Rays ended the season with the third-longest streak of games with a double since 1996.
Randy Winn doubled in the seventh to extend the Rays' club record to 45 consecutive games with at least one.
ODDS AND ENDS: Reliever Jeff Wallace was given permission to miss the final two games of the season so he could be the best man in his brother's wedding over the weekend. ... Vaughn was chosen as the team's Roberto Clemente Award nominee. ... Wilson was 3-1 with a 1.54 ERA in his final six starts. ... Before the Rays and Pirates, the 1998 Marlins were the last team to lose 100 games in a season.