NL Rookie of Year gives thanks to Allah, hitters behind me

Rachman dedicates award to dead older brother

SEATTLE (RWN) - Faris Rachman, the vengeful Colorado Rockies shortstop who hit 35 home runs and ran in 104 runs this past season, was named the National League Rookie of the Year yesterday.

Rachman, 22, is the younger brother of former Yankees slugger Faisal Rachman, he dedicated the award to his older brother, who was assassinated in 2007.

"I wish that Faisal was here today to see this," Faris said at a news conference. "He would be proud that our name is still in the dugouts of baseball. I know that he is smiling from paradise, but I know that his grin is broader because this is justice. Baseball treated my brother shamefully, and I am here to remind you all of that."

Faris Rachman was a heralded prospect from the time he was drafted out of the Denver School for Athletic Boys at age 16, he progressed rapidly through the Rockies' organization, but lost nearly two seasons to a shattered tibia, injured when a player rolled into him while trying to break up a double play in the minor leagues.

His comeback from the injury was the basis of last year's film "Faith over pain," with Rachman's part played by Jafir Kural. In real life, Rachman's stats are worthy of themselves. Not since Alex Rodriguez in his prime has a shortstop hit with such power while being surrounded by such a lackluster lineup.

Rachman led the Rockies in home runs and runs batted in. Usually batting fourth, he was the only legitimate hitter in the Colorado lineup.

"Farry just plays like he's possessed," said Tyler Robinson, the Rockies' manager. "Maybe he is. I've never seen a guy with such a fanatic's heart. He's totally dedicated to two things: being the best ballplayer he can be and reminding people of how Faisal was treated."

Rachman never knew his older brother, Faisal, but grew up hearing the stories about America's first popular martyr.

Faisal, a devout Muslim and first baseman for the Yankees, refused to break his Ramadan fast during the 2007 American League Championship Series against Boston during Ramadan. Rachman went 2-for-18 and the Yankees lost the series 4-1. Immediately after the series, five other Yankee players publicly converted to Islam and were released.

The Detroit Crescents - the hastily renamed Detroit Tigers - quickly signed Rachman and the other five players. But before Rachman ever put on a Crescents uniform, he was killed by Al Gionfrido, a Yankees fan who felt he had a sure thing betting on the Yankees in the ALCS, and who blamed Rachman's Ramadan fast for the loss of his home to gamblers.

Rachman's funeral was nationally televised and attended by the President and First Lady.


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