Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson has edged Canadian Jason Bay for won the first Chuck Tanner Award presented by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Baseball Writers of America Association.
The award was established this season to recognize the Pirates player whose professionalism, co-operation and availability best assist the writers.
Wilson beat out Bay, an outfielder from Trail, B.C., by one point in close balloting. Two points were given for a first-place vote and one was given for second.
Wilson hit .273 _ 16 points higher than in 2005 _ and had 28 extra-base hits this season.
The award is named for Tanner, the former Pirates manager from 1977 to 1985 who has been known for his courtesy and helpfulness to baseball writers and others in the game.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
