January 10, 1999 -- The Hank Aaron Award is Major League Baseball's first new major award in more than 30 years and honors Hank Aaron on the 25th anniversary of his breaking the career home run record with 715.  The award is giving to baseball's best complete hitter in the American and National Leagues and was presented by Country Time Lemonade and Hank Aaron during the 1999 League Championship Series.

Just like in 1998, when Latinos swept the Most Valuable Player Award in each league, this year two Latino sluggers won the prominent Hank Aaron Award. The winners were Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs and Manny Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians.

Sammy Sosa who has earned numerous award throughout his baseball career, adds another one to his shrine.  The National League winner had another powerful baseball season.  In 1999, he hit 63 home runs (2nd in the NL), 141 RBI's (2st in the NL) and had 180 hits, giving him a total of 384 points.   Sosa moved into first place in August and maintained his lead through the rest of the season. He was followed by Matt Williams with 367 points (190 hits, 35 home runs, 142 RBI) and fellow countryman Vladimir Guerrero of the Montreal Expos with 366 points (193 hits, 42 home runs, 131 RBI).

Dominican native, Manny Ramirez, had a career year and was a legitimate threat to Hank Greenberg's 62 year RBI record for most of the year.  Ramirez was the winner in the American League with 383 points (174 hits, 44 home runs, 165 RBI). He led the American League for most of June, July and August, but Rafael Palmeiro of the Texas Rangers tied Ramirez at one point and stayed close through the final days of the regular season. Ramirez finished of the season with several multiple RBI game which gave him the edge.  Palmeiro ended the season in second place with 378 points (183 hits, 47 home runs, 148 RBI). Ken Griffey, Jr. of the Seattle Mariners (173 hits, 48 home runs, 134 RBI) and Shawn Green of the Toronto Blue Jays (190 hits, 42 home runs, 123 RBI) each had 355 points and finished third.

Throughout the 1999 season, hitters received one point for each home run, hit and RBI. The player in each league who earned the most points won the award.

The Hank Aaron Award will clearly establish itself as an award of distinction for many years to come. The hand-carved green granite base, along with the antique bat and banner combination, showcases the award's timeless appeal. Finished with the subtle etching of the Major League Baseball logo, the award, weighing 12 pounds, will sit upon a specially designed cherry wood display.

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