Mike Ashmore reports that the 2009 James P. Dawson Award, given to the top rookie in Yankees camp each season, will be presented to Brett Gardner.

The last 9 winners (going backwards) were Shelley Duncan, Kei Igawa, Eric Duncan, Andy Phillips, Bubba Crosby, Hideki Matsui, Nick Johnson and Alfonso Soriano. For some reason, the Yankees did not select one in either 1999 or 2000. Why?! Just pick one. In 1996, pitcher Mark Hutton took the honor, over a certain rookie shortstop.