So, MLB’s Rookie of the Year awards were given out today, and Gordon Beckham finished fifth in the American League voting, behind Andrew Bailey, Elvis Andrus, Rick Porcello and Jeff Niemann.

Bailey seems to be a bit of an upset win, but he did put up some ridiculous numbers this year. From Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci:

In the DH era, only two pitchers ever posted a lower WHIP when pitching as many innings as Bailey did: Pedro Martinez (2000) and Jeff Zimmerman (1991). And Bailey is only the league’s sixth closer in the DH era to get 25 saves (he had 26) with an ERA 1.84 or better and at least 80 innings pitched — the first to do it in 19 years. Major league hitters batted .167 against him, including .081 with two outs and runners in scoring position.

That’s pretty damn impressive. And for as solid as Beckham was at the plate since being called up in June — .270 average with 14 homers and 63 RBI  — he simply can’t top that mastery. And the four guys that finished in front of him were all there on the opening day roster, which carries some more weight for voters. Porcello had 14 wins as a rookie while Niemann had 13; Andrus wasn’t that impressive at the plate, but his stellar defense (10.7 UZR) more than made up for it.

I guess in the end, this was a wide-open field, and voters decided to key on pitching and defense from guys that were there from the start, instead of the offensive production of a guy that came up in June and struggled at times to learn a new position at third base. Does Beckham deserve to be higher than fifth? Probably. But does he deserve to win the award over Bailey? No.

Who knows? In a few years with his move to second base, it might be Beckham who’s actually the best player out of these five, which is all that really matters anyway.

And that’s because Tim Hallam, Senior Director of Public and Media Relations for the Bulls, told him about it a few days ago. But Rose didn’t tell anyone. Not even his brother or his mother.

At least, that’s what Rose said to our own Jillian Jesk at his crib this afternoon about an hour before his presser on the Rookie of the Year honor. Come for Rose’s comments, stay for Jillian’s finger in the frame.

It’s official: Derrick Rose is the NBA’s Rookie Of The Year. Step one in Rose’s plot for world domination is complete. Step two, which I assume is to make everyone get that weird Poohdini tattoo, is still pending.

Among Rose’s honors in 2008-09: He led all rookies in assists and minutes played, and only O.J. Mayo, whose rookie year in Memphis did not go unnoticed by most NBA people, either, scored more points. Rose is also the only rookie starting on a playoff team. He’s also the only rookie that melted your face off at approximately 12 p.m. on Saturday, when he made his playoff debut by scoring 36 and 11 assists against the defending champ Boston Celtics. My face is still re-congealing.

Only two other Bulls rookies have ever been ROY. Their names are Michael Jordan and Elton Brand. One went on to become the game’s greatest player in the history of everything. The other was good for a while, and now is injured, and also sort of bad. Here’s hoping Rose’s path more closely resembles the former’s.

Nothing of immense shock here, but it’s officially official: Cubs catcher Geovany Soto is your National League Rookie of the Year, after throwing down an impressive 23 homers and 86 RBIs for the Cubbies. Upstart White Sox second baseman (and likely soon-to-be shortstop) Alexei Ramirez finished second in the AL voting, as Tampa Bay third baseman — and all around beast — Evan Longoria topped the AL ballot.

For their victories, each player gets a bathtub made of gold and a box of Cheerios*.

*Not true, but a blogger can dream.