October 18, 2006 – Francisco Rodriguez, Angels, and Trevor Hoffman, Padres, have been awarded the 2006 ROLAIDS® Relief Man Award after finishing out the season with 47 and 46 saves, respectively. Rodriguez led the American League with 134 points and Hoffman the National League with 124 points. This is the first time Rodriguez has received the award and Hoffman’s second.
“I am very honored to have been named the ROLAIDS® Relief Man of the Year Award winner,” said Trevor Hoffman. “However, this award would not have been possible without the work of my fellow relievers in the bullpen, one of the top bullpens in the League in 2006.”
With his 479th career save this season, Hoffman has eclipsed Lee Smith as the all-time saves leader and holds the top spot on the all-time ROLAIDS® points list. Rodriguez also reached a milestone this season by breaking Bryan Harvey’s saves record for the Angels, set in 1991.
“I know Francisco is very happy to be awarded the 2006 ROLAIDS® Relief Man Award,” said Paul Kinzer, Rodriguez’s agent. “It’s an accomplishment for any relief pitcher, but Francisco is still so young that to receive the award at his age is a real honor.”
Since 1976, ROLAIDS® has honored the best reliever in the National League and American League with the ROLAIDS® Relief Man Award. The ROLAIDS® Relief Man Award is based on statistical performance rather than subjective opinion. For a complete listing of the 2006 Relief Man standings and other information, visit www.RolaidsReliefMan.com.
