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D-backs dad up for TYIB Award

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By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

11/25/09 5:00 PM EST

PHOENIX -- Defense was not a strong suit for the D-backs in 2009.

Defense, on the field, that is.

The ability to catch a ball in the stands? Well, that was a different story.

A snag of a foul ball by a fan holding a child in the stands at Chase Field is one of 10 moments that are up for Oddity of the Year in the This Year In Baseball Awards, which will be decided by fans.

Fans can vote on MLB.com from their computer as many times as they'd like until 5:59 p.m. MST on Dec. 11. In 2008, a record 12 million votes were cast for the TYIB Awards, and that figure could be surpassed this time around as fans weigh in on the year's top hitter, pitcher, moments and more. The results of the voting will be revealed during the week of Dec. 14-18.

The lone D-backs player up for an award is Mark Reynolds, who is one of 10 nominees for the Unsung Star of the Year Award. The other contenders are Jason Bartlett (Rays), Billy Butler (Royals), Shin-Soo Choo (Indians), Nelson Cruz (Rangers), Aaron Hill (Blue Jays), Ubaldo Jimenez (Rockies), Adam Lind (Blue Jays), Jayson Werth (Phillies) and Ben Zobrist (Rays).

Among the hitters in that group, only Lind's OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .932 is higher than Reynolds' mark of .892.

Reynolds had his finest season as a pro in 2009 becoming just the fourth player since 2000 with 40-plus homers and 20-plus steals in a season, joining Shawn Green (2001), Alex Rodriguez (2005 and 2007) and Alfonso Soriano (2006).

Reynolds was just the 10th player since 1954 with at least 44 home runs and 24 stolen bases in a season, joining Willie Mays (1955), Hank Aaron (1963), Jose Canseco (1991 and 1998), Barry Bonds (1993), Larry Walker (1997), Ken Griffey Jr. (1999), Chipper Jones (1999), Soriano (2006) and Rodriguez (2007).

Reynolds made several acrobatic plays in which he tumbled into the stands, but it was a play made by an Arizona fan that might capture the Oddity of the Year Award.

In a game against the Phillies with Dan Haren on the mound, catcher Carlos Ruiz swung late on a pitch and fouled it to the right-field side into the Insight Diamond Level. A fan stood up and caught the ball with his left hand. What made the play so spectacular, though, was that he was cradling his son in his right arm.

Not only was it a nice play by the dad, but the son also managed to hang on to the giant Pepsi he had in his hands, making it a great effort all the way around.

"That is one of the better grabs you'll ever see," D-backs analyst Mark Grace said on the air at the time.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.