Brian Dozier named Twins MVP, most improved player by Twin Cities sportswriters

Brian Dozier, one of the few exceptions to a disastrous 2016 season for Minnesota, has been chosen the Twins' Most Valuable Player by the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, the team announced Wednesday. But he also claimed, for the second time in four seasons, the Charles O. Johnson Award as the team's most improved player.

Dozier, who became the first Twin in 46 seasons to hit 40 home runs or more in a season, joins Rod Carew (1977), Roy Smalley Jr. (1978), John Castino (1980) and Brad Radke (1997) in being named the team's MVP and most improved player in the same season, and he's the first since Carew to earn the "most improved" distinction after already being selected for an All-Star team.

Dozier was also voted the winner of the Bob Allison Award for leadership, one of several honors voted by the BBWAA at the conclusion of the season:

• Ervin Santana, who posted a team-best 3.38 ERA and a team-high 149 strikeouts while posting a 7-11 record in 30 starts, was chosen the winner of the Joseph W. Haynes Award as Twins pitcher of the year.

• Max Kepler, whose 17 home runs ranked 10th in franchise history for a first-year player, was named the winner of the Bill Boni Award as Twins' outstanding rookie.

• Byron Buxton, whose range and throwing arm shored up the Twins' outfield, was voted the Jim Kaat Award as Twins' defensive player of the year.

• Terry Ryan, the former general manager whose daily meetings with media members provided access almost unparalleled in the industry, was named winner of the Mike Augustin "Good Guy" Award.

• San Diego Padres reliever Brad Hand, a Chaska High graduate who posted a 2.92 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 89 ⅓ innings this season, was voted the Dick Seibert Award as Upper Midwest Player of the Year. Hand, a second-round pick by the Marlins in the 2008 draft, is the fifth non-Twin in six seasons to earn the BBWAA Award.

And Carew, a six-time winner of the Calvin Griffith Award as Twins' MVP, will be honored as well. The Twins have chosen Carew as the 10th recipient of the Herb Carneal Lifetime Achievement Award, in celebration of his Hall of Fame career and charitable efforts since retiring from baseball.