Willis, Berroa picked as majors' top rookies

The American League voting was the closest since the format began in 1980.
MIAMI (AP) -- Dontrelle Willis left quite an impression in his first season.
The high-kicking left-hander made the All-Star team, played a key role in Florida's turnaround and helped the Marlins win their second World Series.
Now, he can add NL Rookie of the Year honors to his accomplishments.
Willis, who went 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA, beat out Milwaukee outfielder Scott Podsednik for the award Monday.
"It's a huge honor," Willis said from his home in Oakland, Calif. "I'm still on this World Series high. It's still unreal to me that we won. It's all starting to sink in."
Kansas City shortstop Angel Berroa edged New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui for the AL award, the league's closest rookie race in 24 years.
Berroa received 12 first-place votes, seven seconds and seven thirds for 88 points in totals released by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Matsui got 10 firsts, nine seconds and seven thirds for 84 points.
Closest finish
It was the closest finish since the BBWAA adopted the current rookie voting format in 1980, a year after Minnesota's John Castino and Toronto's Alfredo Griffin tied with seven votes apiece.
"I was astounded," Berroa said from his home in the Dominican Republic capital of Santo Domingo. "Super-happy is the ideal expression to describe how I feel about receiving this honor."
Willis received 17 first-place votes and 118 points, while Podsednik got eight firsts and 81 points. Arizona pitcher Brandon Webb was third with 73 points.
Willis was in the gym, already getting ready for next season, when he received the news Monday.
"It's not much of a break at all because after Thanksgiving and Christmas it's over," he said. "You don't really have time to look back."
Nonetheless, Willis finds time.
World Series cap
He has his World Series baseball cap, worn out and still stained from sweat, sitting in the living room where he can see it every day.
"Just looking at the World Series patch, it doesn't get any better than that," he said. "No matter what I do in my career or what happens in my life, I can always say I participated in the 100th anniversary of the World Series."
Willis, 21, went 9-1 with a 2.08 ERA in making the All-Star team, then went 5-5 with 4.60 ERA the rest of the way as the Marlins earned the wild-card spot.
He was dropped from the Marlins' rotation after two postseason starts, limited to relief appearances during the World Series against the Yankees.
He probably will be back in the starting rotation for the Marlins next season, but could remain in the bullpen.
"Any opportunity I can get to help the team I'll take," he said. "Whether it's starting or relieving, I won't think about it. I'll just go out there and try to be the best at what I do."