Writers table proposal for relievers award

By Paul Sullivan

INDIANAPOLIS -- A proposal to create a new award for relievers was tabled today by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

ESPN.com columnist Jayson Stark proposed that relievers get their own award, separate from the Cy Young award, to recognize a role that usually gets short shrift in the Cy Young voting.

Stark also proposed that the award be named after former Chicago baseball writer Jerome Holtzman, the inventor of the save rule, whom he called "one of the greatest baseball writers who ever lived." The only current award for relievers is the Rolaids Fireman of the Year award, which has no connection with the four prestigious BBWAA awards: Cy Young, Manager of the Year,  Rookie of the Year and MVP.

But Stark's proposal never got to the voting stage, and was tabled until next year's All-Star game meeting of the BBWAA in Anaheim