Yanks Go Yard
FanSided

New York Yankees News: Andrew Miller Wins Mariano Rivera Award

By Michael Cambria

Aug 23, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees former players (L-R) Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter pose in front of a plaque commemorating the retirement Pettitte's number during a pregame ceremony prior to a game against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees former players (L-R) Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter pose in front of a plaque commemorating the retirement Pettitte's number during a pregame ceremony prior to a game against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Wednesday evening it was announced that New York Yankees reliever Andrew Miller was awarded the 2015 Mariano Rivera Award, which goes to the best annual reliever in the American League.

The 30-year old southpaw received the award from Yankees legend Mariano Rivera prior to first pitch of Game 2 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Miller earned the award by converting 36 saves in 38 opportunities with a 2.06 ERA and a 2.2 WAR – the highest mark of his professional career to date.

Perhaps even more impressive is that Andrew Miller earned this award in the first year that he was converted to an every-day closer. Before signing with the Yankees last off-season on a four-year deal worth $36 MM, he had tallied just one career save.

Interestingly enough, former Yankee Mark Melancon won the 2015 Trevor Hoffman award as the best reliever in the National League.

But perhaps even more interesting is that you can make the argument that Andrew Miller wasn’t even the best reliever for the New York Yankees in 2015. Brooklyn native Dellin Betances finished the year with 1.50 ERA and an incredible 3.7 WAR as Miller’s set-up man. He also struck out 131 batters to Miller’s 100 and tossed a major-league-high 84 innings in 2015.

All in all, it’s still awesome to reflect on how dominant the duo of Miller and Betances was in 2015, and it’s even more awesome to see a member of the Yankees take home the Mariano Rivera Award!

More from Yanks Go Yard

Home/Yankees News