NEW YORK (AP) &045; Huston Street became the second consecutive AL Rookie of the Year from the Oakland Athletics, and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard won the NL award Monday.

Street, who took over as Oakland’s closer in May, got 15 of 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and finished with 97 points. New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano came in second with 57 points, followed by Tampa Bay designated hitter Jonny Gomes with 39.

A’s shortstop Bobby Crosby, Street’s roommate this season, was the 2004 winner.

&8220;Maybe he rubbed off,&8221; Street said.

Called up from the minors for good on July 1, Howard replaced injured star Jim Thome at first base and led all rookies with 22 home runs. He received 19 of 32 first-place votes and 109 points to beat out Houston outfielder Willy Taveras, who got 78 points. Atlanta right fielder Jeff Francoeur was third with 60.

&8220;Things just started falling in,&8221; said Howard, surprised by his comfortable margin of victory. &8220;You never want to see anyone hurt or injured, but I just came up and tried to make the most of my opportunity.&8221;

Street is the son of former Texas quarterback James Street, who led the Longhorns to a national title in 1969. The 22-year-old righty became Oakland’s closer when Octavio Dotel went down May 20 with a season-ending elbow injury and went 5-1 with 23 saves in 27 chances and a 1.72 ERA &045; second among AL closers to New York’s Mariano Rivera.