The tie was not the only unusual aspect of the 2016 Willie Mac Award voting. Co-winner Javier Lopez was only the second relief pitcher to get the honor. The other was Steve Bedrosian in 1990 as he pitched while his 2-year-old son Cody had leukemia.
This year, Lopez was selected with teammate Brandon Crawford.
“To share the award with Crawford is special,” Lopez said Saturday. “It’s an award you would normally see starters or position players get. Being a reliever and somebody who’s respected in the clubhouse speaks volumes.