Ever heard the one about the guy who had to walk 5 km, uphill, through a hailstorm just to get to school every day?

That's essentially the tale the Sawamura Award selection committee told everyone Monday by deciding not to give out the award for the first time in 19 years.

Not because there wasn't a pitcher dominant enough to be honored — a reason which might actually add more prestige to the award — but basically that pitchers these days have it too easy.