Named after the phenom Columbia Crusaders shortstop in 1993, who batted .315 in 161 games, the Pat Listach Award has stood for excellence among first year players in the DMBL. The Listach Award first was awarded in 1998 to Nomar Garciaparra of the Phoenix Dragons, who was also the first pick in that year's draft.

This year's award goes to....

Victor Martinez, Vancouver

For the second straight year, the Listach Award was unanimous. Vancouver's catcher captured all seven first place votes. Martinez led DMBL rookie batters in almost every offensive category. Taken in the 9th round (#120) of the 2004 draft as an ineligible prospect, Martinez spent the 2004 season in AAA Tacoma. In the midst of a tight playoff race, Vancouver elected to let Martinez spend the year in the minors rather than rush him. In 2005, Martinez hit .295 (.890 OPS) with 42 doubles, 36 homers and 131 runs batted in. He led not only all rookies, but all catchers, in runs created (119.4), slugging percentage (.537), doubles, homers and RBIs. He also played in every game but one this season, starting a few games as DH.

Lew Ford of Tijuana finished second in the voting. Ford batted .301 with 112 runs scored. In third place was Martinez's teammate, Bobby Madritsch, who finished 14-10 with a 4.27 ERA.

Martinez is the second Iron Fist to win the award and the first catcher to win.