Oakland hurler Bailey gets Native Son sports award

Oakland Athletics rookie closer Andrew Bailey, a graduate of Paul VI High in Haddonfield who became one of the American League's top relievers this season, has been named the winner of the Philadelphia Sportswriters Association's Native Son Award.

Bailey, 25, who earned a spot on the American League all-star team and is a strong rookie-of-the-year candidate, will be among the honorees at the 106th annual banquet at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Cherry Hill on Feb. 1.

The award originated in 1991, and some of the past winners include Mike Piazza, Eddie George, Jamie Moyer, Troy Vincent, Rich Gannon, Irving Fryar,Carli Lloyd, Deron Cherry, Dawn Staley, Bobby Higginson and Cuttino Mobley.

"It's a great honor to be mentioned with those athletes," said the 6-foot-3, 234-pound Bailey, who grew up in Haddon Heights and whose parents now live in Cherry Hill.

Tickets, which are priced at $75, and more information are available at pswa.org.

Last season, Bailey went 6-3 with 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA, and he held opponents to a .170 batting average. The American League rookie of the year will be announced Monday and Bailey figures to contend with Chicago White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham (.270, 14 homers, 63 RBIs), Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (.267, 6 HRs, 40 RBIs, 33 steals) and Detroit Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello (14-9, 3.96 ERA).

      "A lot of candidates are deserving, and it's just great to be in consideration," said Bailey, who will marry his Wagner College girlfriend, Amanda Scalzo, in Connecticut on Nov. 20, 2010. "It's crazy to have my name mentioned (with the contenders), just like it was crazy to walk into the clubhouse and be one of the all-stars."

After the All-Star Game in St. Louis, Bailey was on the same plane as baseball legend Willie Mays en route to San Francisco. Mays was sitting a row behind Bailey, who said it took him a while to approach the icon.

"I finally got enough courage and I went up to him and shook his hand and we started talking," said Bailey, the only rookie to make the AL or NL all-star teams. "He said to me, 'I made 24 all-star teams, but you've got me on something. I never made one in my rookie year,' " Bailey recalled. "To hear that out of his mouth was unbelievable."

Mays agreed to give Bailey an autograph, but told him there was one stipulation.

"He said he would sign for me if I signed a ball for him," Bailey said. The righthander quickly took a ball out of his bag and signed it for Mays. "It's something I'll never forget."

Sam Carchidi can be reached at 215-854-5181 or scarchidi@phillynews.com.