Jose Abreu said he is trying his best to learn how to speak English and he hopes to be able to conduct an entire interview in English one day.
For now, the affable White Sox slugger from Cuba said he is able to say: "I got it!" and "This is my ball!" and "How are you?"
On Monday Abreu picked up another key phrase in English: "Rookie of the year!" Abreu said with a hearty laugh.
As expected, Abreu was named the American League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Abreu swept all 30 first-place votes (150 points). Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker finished second with 12 second-place votes and four third-place votes (40 points).
"I am very happy about winning," Abreu said through an interpreter. "I dedicate it to the White Sox, my family and the Chicago fans."
Abreu hit .317 with 35 doubles, 36 homers and 107 RBIs in 145 games. He sported a .581 slugging percentage and a .383 on-base percentage.
Abreu said his next goal is to help the White Sox become a winner.
"From the day Jose joined the White Sox, we were optimistic that he would develop into an integral part of our success and a centerpiece in our lineup for years to come," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. Abreu previously was honored as the AL's top rookie by the Sporting News and Players Choice awards.
Abreu became the first rookie in major league history to finish among the top five in each Triple Crown category. Abreu is the sixth White Sox player to win AL Rookie of the Year, joining Ozzie Guillen (1985), Ron Kittle ('83), Tommie Agee ('66), Gary Peters ('63) and Luis Aparicio ('56).
He set a franchise rookie record with his 36 home runs, breaking Kittle's mark.
"It wasn't easy," Abreu said of his transition from living and playing in Cuba. "I had the help of the White Sox and my teammates. The process was difficult, but I adjusted all season and the results are here. I became Rookie of the Year and I guess this says a lot about the adjustment I made.
"It was difficult to get adjusted to a new country, especially if you don't have your family with you. Thanks to my wife, mother, father the adjustment has been pretty good. I like it here."
Abreu is the fourth Cuban player in major league history to win the BBWAA honor, joining the Marlins' Jose Fernandez (2013), the A's Jose Canseco (1986) and the Twins' Tony Oliva ('64). Former Sox outfielder Minnie Minoso won the Sporting News rookie award in 1951.
"Believe me when I say playing in Cuba made me the ballplayer I am now," Abreu said. "I don't regret it at all. I learned baseball in Cuba."