Street, Howard win rookie of year awards

Huston Street kept the A.L. Rookie of the Year award in-house.

Oakland’s poised closer became the second consecutive winner from the Athletics, and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard won the N.L. award on Monday.

Street hardly had to look far for inspiration. The previous A.L. winner was his roommate this season, A’s shortstop Bobby Crosby.

“Maybe he rubbed off,” Street said.

Street, who took over as Oakland’s closer in May, got 15 of 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and finished with 97 points. New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano came in second with 57 points, followed by Tampa Bay designated hitter Jonny Gomes with 39.

Called up from the minors for good on July 1, Howard replaced injured Jim Thome at first and led all rookies with 22 home runs. He received 19 of 32 first-place votes and 109 points to beat out Houston outfielder Willy Taveras, who got 78 points. Atlanta right fielder Jeff Francoeur was third with 60.

Rose Jr. arrested

Pete Rose Jr., the son of baseball’s all-time hits leader, surrendered to federal authorities Monday to face charges that he was distributing GBL, a drug sometimes used as a steroid alternative.

The 35-year-old Rose could face a maximum of 20 years in prison. The DEA said his arrest was part of a larger investigation into a major GBL trafficking organization.

The indictment said Rose admitted he received GBL from a person in Tennessee while a member of the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

Wide eligibility rules for Classic

Mike Piazza would be eligible to catch for Italy in the inaugural World Baseball Classic next year under eligibility rules being discussed by the commissioner’s office and players’ association.

The sport is considering adopting rules that allow the most latitude, a high-ranking official said after arriving at the annual meeting of big league general managers in Indian Wells, Calif.

In addition, the commissioner’s office and the union planned to complete the sites for the tournament today, the official said.

Busch Stadium meets end

With a resounding thud, a wrecking ball smashed into the southwest side of Busch Stadium to make room for a new ballpark, while St. Louis Cardinals fans reminisced about Mark McGwire knocking home runs out of the park or Lou Brock stealing bases.

Hundreds of observers lined nearby streets or dotted rooftops to watch the first swings of the 5-ton wrecking ball.

The southern half of Busch Stadium will be knocked down during the next few months to allow for completion of the new, roughly $400 million ballpark. The new park is slated to be done by April 1, for the Cardinals’ home opener April 10 against Milwaukee.

Clearing the bases

Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro was selected executive of the year by The Sporting News. … The Orioles hired Lee Elia as bench coach and third base coach Rick Dempsey became the bullpen coach. … The Cubs exercised their options for next season on second baseman Todd Walker and reliever Scott Williamson. … Scott Sauerbeck, a key left-hander in Cleveland’s dominant bullpen, agreed to a $1.2 million, one-year contract with the Indians.