In brief: Feliz named A.L.’s top rookie

Baseball: Former Spokane Indians pitcher Neftali Feliz (2007) has been voted the 2010 American League Rookie of the Year. Feliz captured 20 of the 28 first-place votes, beating Detroit Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson.

Feliz recorded a rookie-record 40 saves during the season, helping Texas reach the World Series for the first time in team history.

Feliz started his career in the Atlanta minor league system, but was traded to the Rangers in 2007 and assigned to Spokane to finish the season. He made his major league debut on Aug. 3, 2009, but appeared in only 20 games, allowing him to keep his rookie status for 2010.

Rookie of the Year voting is done by two Baseball Writers of America members in each league city after the regular season.

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey was voted the National League rookie of the year.

Sandberg takes Phillies AAA job

Baseball: The Philadelphia Phillies have hired Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg to manager their Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Sandberg, a North Central High School graduate, spent the last four seasons as a manager in the Chicago Cubs’ minor league system. He was 284-277-1 with two first-place finishes.

In his only season managing in Triple-A, Sandberg was named manager of the Year in the Pacific Coast League after leading the Iowa Cubs to a tie for the best record in the Northern Division (82-62).

Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star and won nine Gold Gloves during his 16-year career with the Cubs and Phillies.

Associated Press

Pac-10 honors WSU’s Tuel

College football: Washington State University quarterback Jeff Tuel has been named the Pacific-10 Conference offensive player of the week following the Cougars’ 31-14 victory at Oregon State.

Tuel helped WSU snap a 16-game conference winless streak, dating back to the end of the 2008 season. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 157 yards and no interceptions, including a 33-yard touchdown pass. He also ran for a career-high 79 yards on 18 carries.

Tuel is the first Cougar to be named player of the week this season and the first offensive player since Marshall Lobbestael was named in 2008 following the Portland State game.