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Blake Snell wins OKC-based Warren Spahn Award as MLB's best left-handed pitcher

The Oklahoman
·4 min read
Sep 19, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell (4) smiles after the last out of the top of the sixth inning was recorded against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell (4) smiles after the last out of the top of the sixth inning was recorded against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Snell wins OKC-based Warren Spahn Award as MLB's best left-handed pitcher

Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres was named the 2023 Warren Spahn Award winner on Wednesday as the best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Presented annually to MLB’s top lefty, the award is based on a pitcher’s wins, strikeouts and earned-run average. The award is named after Oklahoman and National Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, Warren Spahn, whose 363 wins is the most ever for a left-handed pitcher. The award is given out by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

Snell posted an incredible season for the Padres with a 14-9 record and 2.25 ERA, the lowest in Major League Baseball. His 234 strikeouts were a career high, and he led the MLB in hits allowed per nine innings with 5.8. Among lefties, Snell ranked first in opponent slugging percentage (.286) and second in strikeout percentage (31.5).

Snell captured his second Cy Young Award in 2023, becoming the seventh pitcher in MLB history to receive the award in both leagues. He is also now one of six players in Warren Spahn Award history to take home multiple honors.

"After winning the Warren Spahn Award in 2018, we congratulate Blake Snell on another incredible season as he takes home this converted award once again," said Mike James, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame President and Executive Director. "We are truly grateful to the Spahn Family for working with us in continuing to keep their grandfather's legacy alive through this award and his personal exhibit at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame."

Past Warren Spahn Award winners include: Julio Urias (2021-2022), Hyun-jin Ryu (2020), Patrick Corbin (2019), Blake Snell (2018), Clayton Kershaw (2011, 2013, 2014, 2017), Jon Lester (2016), Dallas Keuchel (2015), Gio Gonzalez (2012); David Price (2010); CC Sabathia (2007–2009); Johan Santana (2004, 2006); Dontrelle Willis (2005); Andy Pettitte (2003); and Randy Johnson (1999–2002).

RED SOX: Joe Castiglione, a Boston Red Sox radio announcer for 41 years, won the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting. Castiglione, who has called the four World Series wins of the Red Sox that followed an 86-year title drought, will be honored during the Hall of Fame’s induction weekend from July 19-22 in Cooperstown, New York. Castiglione, 76, has broadcast four no-hitters and both of Roger Clemens’ 20-strikeout games. The Fenway Park home radio booth was named in his honor last year.

OU-Texas football game staying at Cotton Bowl through at least 2036

OU and Texas have agreed to a contract extension to keep the Red River Rivalry in the Cotton Bowl through 2036, the schools announced Wednesday.

The agreement calls for the Dallas Sports Commission and Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District to increase the game fees to each school and the City of Dallas has agreed to an estimated $140 million, two-phase renovation project for the Cotton Bowl.

The renovations are aimed at improving the fan experience, including widening the concourses and adding escalators, renovating concessions and restrooms, plus increasing the number of hospitality areas and premium environments.

The first phase of the project, involving the west side of the stadium, is expected to be completed in time for the 2026 game while the second phase, involving the east-side of the stadium, is to be completed by the 2034 game.

Extra points

OU 72, PROVIDENCE 51: Javian McCollum scored 19 points and Milos Uzan added 17 points and 12 rebounds as No. 19 Oklahoma limited Providence to 20 second-half points in a 72-51 win. The Sooners scored 40 points in the paint, forced 15 turnovers and out-rebounded the Friars 40-23. McCollum scored 13 in the first half to lift the Sooners to a 35-31 halftime lead over the Friars. Providence pulled ahead 41-40 early in the second half before the Sooners outscored the Friars 32-10 over the next 14 minutes. Devin Carter scored 17 points and Josh Oduro added 15 for Providence.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 70, OSU 68: Xavier Johnson scored 32 points and Southern Illinois held off Oklahoma State for a 70-68 victory. Oklahoma State (3-5) trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half, but tied it three times inside the final four minutes. Javon Small’s two free throws for the Cowboys knotted it for the final time, 66-66. Clarence Rupert’s three-point play for Southern Illinois (6-2) made it 69-66. Small added two more free throws with 17 seconds left to pull to 69-68, but he missed a layup and Quion Williams missed a jumper on the Cowboys’ final possession.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is away from the team to undergo surgery for appendicitis, but expects to be on the sideline Sunday night for a highly anticipated rematch with Philadelphia. The team says McCarthy was hospitalized after experiencing abdominal pain Wednesday morning. He was expected to have surgery in the afternoon and be released later in the day. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn addressed reporters during McCarthy’s regularly scheduled news conference.

—Staff and wire reports

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Blake Snell wins Warren Spahn Award as MLB's best left-handed pitcher