Named after the first winner of the award, Ben McDonald of Arkansas, the trophy rewards the finest pitcher in the DMBL.

This year's award goes to....

Curt Schilling, Arkansas Golden Falcons

The Golden Falcons have always been known for their aces. In fact the 2003 rotation featured three previous McDonald Award winners. Now they can say they have four. Curt Schilling had his best season in the DMBL. His 2.90 ERA was a career-best for the 9-year veteran and it was good for second in the league in 2003. Schilling led the league in strikeouts with 263, quality start percentage(.697), innings pitched(254 1/3), and tied for first in shutouts(4). Schilling was also second in the league in wins(19) and in runners per 9 innings(9.2), and third in win percentage (.760).

In his career with Arkansas and Vancouver, Schilling has accumulated a 149-78 record (.656 pct.), 3.97 ERA and 1945 strikeouts in 2082 innings.

Schilling's biggest competition this year was from Hillsborough ace Kevin Millwood who led the league with a 20-4 record and a 2.67 ERA. Newark's John Smoltz was third with 2 first-place votes. The reliever had a historic year, setting records for saves and reliever ERA. Stanhope's Tim Wakefield came in fourth. Wakefield soared to an 8-0 start, but came back to earth in the second half. Carolina's Barry Zito received the only other first-place vote, though it was the only vote he got. Derek Lowe, who split his season between Harrison and Stanhope finished sixth, and Phoenix's Pat Listach Award winner John Lackey finished seventh.

Points are scored as follows: 10 points for a first place vote, 7 for second, 5 for third, 3 for fourth, 2 for fifth and 1 for sixth.

Schilling becomes the fourth Falcon to win the award. The all-time winners of the McDonald Award: