When the committee didn’t hear from Knoblauch or a representative, it issued a subpoena to force the 1991 AL Rookie of the Year to submit to a deposition next Tuesday.

As of 7 p.m. Wednesday, though, that subpoena had not reached the former infielder who, like Clemens and more than 80 other players, was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs in last month’s Mitchell Report on baseball’s steroids era.

Knoblauch swiped 407 bases during his 12-year career. Presumably he’s slowed since then, so the question now becomes whether the feds have a rag-armed catcher or just don’t hold runners very well.

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Enter Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon, talking about the fact that his outfielder, Delmon Young, didn’t win the AL Rookie of the Year:

It’s really disturbing. I can see him not winning the award, but leaving him off eight ballots is just a sign of personal prejudice.

In this case, “personal prejudice” is code for “understanding the criteria for determining excellence.” The folks who left Young off the ballot presumably recognized that a 91+ OPS from a corner outfielder just isn’t all that exciting.

Don’t get me wrong, Young has a bright future ahead of him if he can keep from doing Really Stupid Things, but aside from the batting average and RBI, his rookie season wasn’t special. Each writer gets to put three names on the ballot, and I could totally see going with Dustin Pedroia (an easy choice for #1 despite his Red Sox affiliation), Brian Bannister, and Daisuke Matsuzaka. I’m not sure that’s how I would have voted, but I think it’s perfectly justifiable without bringing any nonsense about “personal prejudice” into the discussion.

I think it’s wrong. At that point, it has nothing to do with the player’s performance. The award is not a popularity race.

Okay, how long has Maddon been in baseball? And he honestly believes that the award is not a popularity race? Is he even paying attention?

I don’t think there was any way he wasn’t one of the top three rookies in the league.

Right, but eight writers disagreed, and it’s a defensible position.

And how many other rookies in the history of the game played 162 games like he did?

So now excellence is a function of showing up to work every day. Sorry, but this doesn’t belong in the discussion at all. Still, give Maddon credit for defending his player even if it’s not entirely justified.

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You are so smart: In our polls, Braun nosed out Tulowitzki, 180-172, and Pedroia took 75% of the votes. Hooray for us, hooray for Braun and Pedroia, hooray for everything.

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• Vegas Watch
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You know the drill by now. The question before the court is, Who would get your vote for NL Rookie of the Year and why?

In my mind, this is a two-man race between Milwaukee “third baseman” Ryan Braun and Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Guys like Hunter Pence and Josh Hamilton would have merited serious consideration had they remained healthy all season. Actually, you could make a strong case for Pence anyway.

Similarly, right-handers Yovani Gallardo and Tim Lincecum might have been part of the conversation if they’d been called up a little sooner. Micah Owings? The crazy thing about him is that he adds value as a pitcher and as a hitter.

And then there’s Owings’ teammate, Chris Young. He’ll get some consideration for the 32 homers and 27 stolen bases — very sexy. Young might have as promising a future as anyone among the current crop of rookies, but that .295 OBP is tough to ignore.

So. I ask again: Who do you like, and why?

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Another day, another poll. Today we’re looking at the American League Rookie of the Year, an award I haven’t talked too much about in this space. My preseason pick was Royals third baseman Alex Gordon, and although he finished with respectable numbers, he’s not my choice.

Neither is Tampa Bay’s Delmon Young. I expect him to win the award because of his big RBI numbers, but I’d go with Boston’s Dustin Pedroia. In addition to outhitting Young this year, Pedroia also plays second base.

Beyond Pedroia, you could make a decent case for Baltimore right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, although the fact that he managed just seven wins is probably a deal breaker in the voters’ eyes. Daisuke Matsuzaka? His season was better than he gets credit for, but with all the hype surrounding him, that’s just not good enough.

So. Who would get your vote?

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To put Braun’s numbers in historical perspective, he is on pace to produce the highest AVG, SLG, OPS, and OPS+ of any first-year player in the modern era. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Southern California is in elite company with such greats as Joe DiMaggio, Johnny Mize, Albert Pujols, Frank Robinson, and Ted Williams.

Sure, but is he any good?

When we adjust for home ballpark and era, Braun’s OPS+ of 168 would rank as the best first season in the annals of modern baseball.

Well, I’d say that qualifies. Finally, I love this line (small sample and all): .468/.543/1.013 against LHP. I don’t care if it’s only 79 at-bats, that’s freakish. Which, come to think of it, is a good word describe Braun and what he’s done so far as a rookie…

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