Beltran, Brown take home AL players of the month

[WebHamster]

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Kansas City Royals outfielder Carlos Beltran and New York Yankees starting pitcher Kevin Brown have been named American League player and pitcher of the month, respectively, on Monday. In addition, Gerald Laird of the Texas Rangers was named the American League Rookie of the Month.

Beltran hit .316 with eight homers, 19 RBI and a Major League lead 23 runs scored in April. He added four doubles, a triple, 17 walks and seven stolen bases, posting .696 slugging and .434 on-base percentages. This is his first player of the month award.

Brown went 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six starts over the month. He became the 101st pitcher in Major League history to record 200 career wins. This is his third monthly award.

Laird hit .346 with six RBI, leading all AL rookies with 18 hits. He added six runs and a .386 on-base percentage. The catcher also threw out 6-of-13 runners who attempted to steal.

Other players receiving consideration were Boston's Manny Ramirez, Minnesota's Lew Ford, New York's Jorge Posada, Cleveland's Ronnie Belliard, Michael Young of the Rangers, Rondell White and Ivan Rodriguez of the Tigers, Anaheim's Troy Glaus, and Oakland's Jermaine Dye.

Pitchers also receiving consideration were Mariano Rivera and Javier Vazquez of the Yankees, Oakland's Tim Hudson, Chicago's Esteban Loaiza, Francisco Cordero of the Rangers, and Minnesota's Juan Rincon.

Other rookies considered were Anaheim pitcher Kevin Gregg, Toronto catcher Kevin Cash, Minnesota outfielder Michael Ryan, Tampa Bay pitchers Chad Gaudin and Doug Waechter, White Sox pitcher Neal Cotts and Oakland shortstop Bobby Crosby.