Soto wins NL Rookie of the Year, wonders what it's like to catch Jake Peavy

Photo Credit: AP

Finally, Chicago Cubs fans can say they cheered for a winner.

Catcher Geovany Soto was a near-unanimous choice for the National League Rookie of the Year award, becoming the fifth Cub player to do so.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto picked up the other first-place vote.

F-U Dusty!

Anyway...

Soto's win comes 10 years after teammate Kerry Wood won the NL's ROY award in 1998. Here's hoping Geo doesn't get his arm blown out like Kid K's did.

The rookie backstop did it all this year.

• He led all rookies with 86 RBIs
• Hit 23 home runs (second among NL rookies)
• Became the first rookie catcher to start the All-Star game
• Caught Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter

Maybe next year he'll catch Jake Peavy if GM Jim Hendry commits to throwing every prospect in the Cubs' organization westward to San Diego.

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Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria won the American League's ROY award, mashing 27 homers and driving in 85 runs en route to leading the Rays to an AL East title.

Chicago White Sox second baseman Alexei Ramirez, who hit .297 with 21 homers and 77 RBIs in his rookie campaign, finished second behind Longoria.

Ramirez's claim to fame this season were the four grand slams he hit for the South Siders this season.