Andruw Jones, David Ortiz Win 2005 Hank Aaron Award Presented by CENTURY 21(R); Award Recognizes the Most Outstanding Offensive Performers in Each League for 2005 Season.

HOUSTON -- Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves and David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox have been named recipients of the 2005 Hank Aaron Award presented by CENTURY 21 as the result of fan balloting on MLB.com, it was announced today. Throughout the final phase of voting, Major League Baseball fans cast more than 210,000 votes for the 2005 Hank Aaron Award presented by CENTURY 21. This is the first time both Jones and Ortiz have won this prestigious award recognizing the most outstanding offensive performer in each League.

This season, Jones, who garnered 64,415 votes, accounting for 30 percent of the National League vote, led the Major Leagues with 51 home runs. He paced the National League in RBI with 128 helping the Braves win their 14th consecutive Division title. The Gold Glove centerfielder hit his 50th home run in September becoming just the 12th player in Major League history to reach the 300 home run plateau before his 30th birthday. His 51 home runs broke the Braves franchise record previously shared by Hank Aaron and Eddie Matthews. The right-handed slugger was the first Major Leaguer to reach the 50 home run plateau since Jim Thome and Alex Rodriguez accomplished the feat in 2002.

In 2005, Ortiz, who received 89,809 votes, accounting for 42 percent of the American League vote, topped the Major Leagues in RBI with 148. The designated-hitter finished third in the Majors with 47 home runs, and his 88 extra base hits led the AL. Ortiz's 47 home runs were the second most in Red Sox history behind Jimmy Foxx who hit 50 in 1938. He hit 43 homers as a designated hitter which was the most ever by a DH in a season. Ortiz is widely recognized as one of the game's best clutch hitters, and his 19 home runs from the seventh inning on and 21 game-winning RBI support that claim. In addition, the left-handed slugger batted .352 with runners in scoring position.

The 2005 Hank Aaron Award presented by CENTURY 21 was decided in three separate phases. From August 1 - 31, fans voted at each Club's official Web site from among three players nominated by the respective Club. The leading vote getter from each Club became one of 30 finalists, from which a special panel consisting of representatives from Major League Baseball and MLB.com selected the six finalists for each League. From September 6 - 30, fans voted to determine the overall League winner via balloting on MLB.com, the official Web site of Major League Baseball.

The Hank Aaron Award was introduced in 1999 to honor the 25th Anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record and was the first major award introduced by Major League Baseball in more than 30 years. The Hank Aaron Award presented by CENTURY 21 recognizes the best overall hitter in each League for a particular season and this is the third year that Century 21 Real Estate LLC has been the presenting sponsor of the award.

Hank Aaron Award presented by CENTURY 21 Winners


              American League         National League
              ---------------         ---------------

2005 -        David Ortiz             Andruw Jones
2004 -        Manny Ramirez           Barry Bonds
2003 -        Alex Rodriguez          Albert Pujols
2002 -        Alex Rodriguez          Barry Bonds
2001 -        Alex Rodriguez          Barry Bonds
2000 -        Carlos Delgado          Todd Helton
1999 -        Manny Ramirez           Sammy Sosa