Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Young And Blair Get Espy’s

Associated Press

Jeff Bagwell of the Houston Astros, Mark Messier of the New York Rangers and Charlotte Smith of the North Carolina women’s basketball team each won two ESPY Awards Monday night on ESPN.

The two top ESPY Awards went to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young as male athlete of the year and Olympic gold-medal winning speed skater Bonnie Blair as female athlete of the year.

Thirty-three awards were given, including 17 performer of the year awards, seven so-called cross-cutter awards, and nine video awards decided by ESPN viewers.

Bagwell was honored as baseball player of the year and breakthrough athlete of the year. He broke his hand shortly before the baseball strike began Aug. 12.

“I might be the only one who benefited by the strike,” Bagwell said in accepting his award.

Messier won NHL player of the year and best performance under pressure. Smith was named women’s college basketball player of the year and was awarded the play of the year as well for her buzzer beater against Louisiana Tech in the women’s final.

xxxx