Berkman, Ellsbury win comeback awards

NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- St. Louis outfielder Lance Berkman and Boston outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury have been voted the 2011 Comeback Player of the Year awards.

Berkman, who played for Houston and the New York Yankees in 2010, hit .248 with 14 home runs and 58 runs batted in last season. He turned that around in 2011, hitting .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBI in helping the Cardinals reach the playoffs.

Ellsbury was limited to 18 games in 2010 because of injuries but is considered a Most Valuable Player Award possibility after a season in which he hit .321 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI. He led the major leagues with 364 total bases and 93 extra-base hits.

With 39 stolen bases, he is the first Red Sox player to have at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season. Ellsbury the fourth player in major-league history to have at least 200 hits, 100 RBI, 35 stolen bases and 30 home runs in a season.

The Comeback Player of the Year awards are determined in a vote of 30 reporters from MLB.com.