Duncan 2008's First Award Winner

Shelley Duncan is the recipient of the James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the top Yankees prospect in spring training. The award is named after the late NY Times sportswriter who died during spring training in 1953.

LoHud's Peter Abraham had the honor of presenting Duncan with the award. Duncan reacted like you would expect him to.

“This is cool, dude,” Shelley said. “Awesome.”

Though some winners have gone on to win Rookie of the Year or had great careers, we remember many winners in the late '60s and the '70s that never amounted to anything as ball players. We're sure that Duncan will be one of the successful ones.

Duncan received a commemorative watch from William Barthman Jewelers as part of the celebration.

"I always need a new watch," Duncan said. "It's funny. You can joke around and say, 'Some people say Spring Training doesn't mean anything.' Well, now it means a watch to me."

Ya gotta love this guy!

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