The Rookie

Former Baylor pitching ace Jason Jennings added another award to his trophy case in November when he was named the 2002 National League Rookie of the Year.

Jennings, now a starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, went 16-8 with a 4.52 ERA in his first full season in the major leagues. Those numbers led to a runaway win in the voting, where he claimed 27 of 32 first-place votes.

"They said I was the only guy on every ballot," Jennings said. "Once I got home in Texas, I started reflecting on the season I had. It's not an individual game, but it was good to have a season like that, and it kind of makes it special that it was in my rookie year."

Recognition is nothing new to Jennings. A former pitcher and designated hitter while at Baylor (1997-1999), Jennings twice was named All-American. In 1999, he was the consensus National Collegiate Player of the Year before being selected in the first round of the major league draft by the Rockies.