Red Sox lefthander Jon Lester on Wednesday was named the winner of the 18th annual Tony Conigliaro Award. The award is annually presented to a major league player who has overcome adversity.

Tim Raines and David Justice head 11 first-time candidates on the baseball writers' 2008 Hall of Fame ballot, joining Mark McGwire, Rich Gossage, Jim Rice and 11 other holdovers. McGwire, his candidacy hurt by suspicions of steroids use, was selected on just 23.5 percent of ballots when he was eligible for the first time in 2007.

His playing career is probably as unfamiliar to most people as his given name: Dorrel Norman Elvert Herzog. But the man who gave the game "Whiteyball" is a familiar figure to fans everywhere, and one whose innovative managerial strategy made him a giant of his era and one of the most successful managers the game. Whitey Herzog, also known to his fans as "The White Rat," makes his second appearance on the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee composite ballot. Last year, Herzog received 29 votes (35.8 percent), well short of the 61 needed for election but the sixth most of the 15 nominees on last year's composite ballot.

Perhaps the entrance to the Hall of Fame and Museum will truly be considered a heaven's gate if "God" passed through it. Before crying blasphemy, take note that the person referenced is none other than Doug Harvey, an umpire of such great authority that players, managers, coaches and even executives in the game took to calling him by that name during an exemplary career. And it just may be time for him to be officially anointed in Cooperstown. Harvey, 77, is one of three umpires and seven former managers under consideration by the Veterans Committee for a place in the HOF. A 16-member committee featuring 10 Hall of Famers, three executives and three media members will judge the candidates with 12 votes, or 75 percent, needed for election.

Jimmy Rollins won the National League MVP award in a close race over Matt Holliday on Tuesday, boosted by speed and steady all-around play that drove the Philadelphia Phillies to their first playoff berth in 14 years. The Gold Glove shortstop received 16 of 32 first-place votes and finished with 353 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Holliday, who led Colorado's surprising charge to the World Series, was the runner-up with 11 first-place votes and 336 points. Milwaukee slugger Prince Fielder came in third, with five first-place votes and 284 points.

In the expected landslide, Alex Rodriguez was named the American League's Most Valuable Player on Monday. Rodriguez picked up 26 of the 28 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America. Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez garnered the other two first-place votes.

The Baseball Writers' Association of America will continue to hand out their postseason awards Monday, as the American League's Most Valuable Player will be announced. This figures to be the most clear cut of all the awards handed out thus far, as Alex Rodriguez should win the third MVP of his career following one of the most impressive offensive seasons ever. Rodriguez, who won this award in 2003 with Texas and two years ago with the New York Yankees, hit .314 and led the majors with both 54 home runs and 156 RBI to help lead the Yankees to their 13th straight postseason appearance. He also became the youngest player to hit his 500th home run this season, while also leading the league in runs scored (143) and total bases (376).

Jake Peavy was a unanimous winner of the NL Cy Young Award on Thursday after leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts -- pitching's version of a Triple Crown. The Padres ace received all 32 first-place votes and finished with 160 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Arizona sinkerballer Brandon Webb, last year's winner, was a distant runner-up with 94 points. He was listed second on 31 ballots and third on one.

Bob Melvin, who guided the Diamondbacks to the West Division title, was named National League Manager of the Year on Wednesday. Melvin received 19 of the 30 first-place votes and 119 points from the Baseball Writers Association of America. He easily outdistanced Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel, who received seven first-place votes and 76 points.

Eric Wedge, who guided the Indians to ther first division title in six years, was named American League Manager of the Year on Wednesday. It was the second major award won by a member of the Indians in as many days, as C.C. Sabathia captured the American League Cy Young Award on Tuesday.