With what would have been an unfathomable amount of money at one time, Torii Hunter has now made more money for playing single season of baseball than any other Arkansan in history.

Hunter made $16.5 million dollars in 2008, beating out the previous record of 13.25 million, set by Pat Burrell in 2007.

Hunter, a native of Pine Bluff, AR, signed a 5-year $90 million dollar contract last offseason with the Las Angeles Angels and will make more money in upcoming seasons.

The record could — and probably will– be topped again next season, as two of the top free agents, A.J. Burnett and Pat Burrell, both from Arkansas, could receive a larger amount of money than Hunter.

So far, neither free agent has signed, but both are being pursued heavily by teams in baseball.

Although Boston’s Dustin Pedroia won by receiving the most votes, AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee placed 12th in the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

Lee, a native of Benton, AR, received a single vote in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th rounds, tallying up to a total of 24 points.  He went 22-3 on the season with a 2.54 ERA, leading the AL in both categories. He won the ALCY last week.

Placing 6th in the voting is Francisco Rodriguez, a former Arkansas Traveler. Rodriguez went 3-3 with a 1.98 ERA and 9 saves in 2002.

After receiving the necessary amount of votes, it was announced today that Cliff Lee has won the 2008 AL Cy Young Award, beating out Roy Halladay.

Lee, a native of Benton, AR, had a spectacular 2008 season, going 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA, leading the league in both categories. He is second Cleveland Indians pitcher to win the award in a row after C.C. Sabathia won the award in 2007.

The award, which was been around since 1956, has never been won by an Arkansas until now.

Lee’s 2008 season is even more remarkable when you realize that is was only a year ago that his career was in doubt after going 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA.

Lee received all but 4 of the first round votes, which went to runner up Roy Halladay. Fransisco Rodriguez, who was once considered the possible winner, came in third.

Behind those three, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Mariano Rivera, Mike Mussina and Ervin Santana each came in that order.

Lee has now won many awards for his 2008 campaign, including AL Comeback Player of the Year and The AL Sporting New Pitcher of the Year, as well Pitcher of the Month in April and August

Lee has one more year on his contract with Cleveland.

After hitting a very impresive .378 with 9 homeruns, Terry Tiffee has been named to the 2008 Topps AAA All-Star Team.

Although not his primary position, he was named to the team as an outfielder, which he has played some of in the past.

Tiffee, who was born in North Little Rock, AR and grew up in Sherwood, AR, played 2008 with AAA Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League. Tiffee also got to play 6 games in the Major Leagues this season with Las Angeles, going 0 for 4 at the plate.

Tiffee also played with the 2008 USA Baseball in the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Both Pat Burrell, who was born in Eureka Springs, AR, and A.J. Burnett, born in North Little Rock, AR, have decided to test the market after their respected tenures with past teams.

Burrell, coming off a fine 2008 season, has played all 9 of his MLB seasons with Philadelphia, who drafted him in 1999 as the #1 overall draft pick. Burrell hit .250 with 33 homeruns in ‘08.

Burnett too had a fine season, going 18-10 with a 4.27 ERA. He has been with Toronto the last three seasons and has won an average of 13 games a season. Before his time with the Blue Jays, he spent 7 seasons with Florida, winning a high of 12 games twice.

Both players received quite a large pay check for their works in 2008 and could see a similar amount from whomever they sign with. Burrell received a little more than $14 Million this season while Burnett was paid a little more than $13 million.

Torii Hunter was the Rawlings American League Gold Glove for an outfielder today. He has now won 8 consecutive Gold Gloves dating back to 2001.

Hunter, who was born in Pine Bluf, AR, finished the season with a perfect 100% fielding percentage, making no errors in 1193.1 innings played.

Among other Arkansas natives to win multiple Gold Gloves include the great Brooks Robinson, who won 16 Gold Gloves himself, Willie Davis, who won three while he was with the Dodgers, and Sherm Lollar, who won a trio at catcher.