NEW YORK - Chris Coghlan and Andrew Bailey both agreed to change, then quickly got their chance in the majors. Now each has a rookie reward that will last forever.

Coghlan, the pesky Marlins leadoff hitter, won the National League Rookie of the Year award in a close vote Monday and Bailey took the AL honor after an outstanding season as Oakland's closer.

“I couldn't have written it better,” Coghlan said during a conference call.

A second baseman in the minors, Coghlan made a hasty shift to left field in May and found a home atop Florida's lineup. Bailey also switched successfully, going from struggling Double-A starter to All-Star reliever in a year.

“I think the move to the bullpen allowed me to get back mentally to who I was,” Bailey said, explaining that he began challenging hitters again. “Just took the opportunity and ran with it.”

Coghlan edged Philadelphia pitcher J.A. Happ, receiving 17 first-place votes and 105 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Happ, the only player picked on all 32 ballots, garnered 10 first-place votes and 94 points.

Bailey, who had 26 saves and a 1.84 ERA this season, was selected first on 13 of 28 ballots and finished with 88 points. Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus was the runner-up with 65 points, one more than Detroit pitcher Rick Porcello.

Bailey, a surprise All-Star in July, was driving when he got word that he won.

“At first I thought it was a prank call. Which one of my friends is playing a prank on me?” he said. “I didn't want to take my eyes off the road.”

Coghlan dug himself out of an early slump and had a superb second half. He batted .321 with nine homers and 31 doubles in 128 games, scoring 84 runs and driving in 47.

Bailey went 6-3 and had 24 more saves than any other AL rookie. He also led the league's rookies in ERA.

He is the eighth A's player to win the award, tying the New York Yankees for most in the AL. Bailey was scuffling as a starter in Double-A last year when the A's moved him to the bullpen. Turned out to be a terrific decision.

“I had never been a reliever in my life, so the opportunity to just go in for an inning and let loose was something I had never experienced before,” Bailey said. “It's been a learning experience, this whole year.”

The 25-year-old right-hander was a quick study, striking out 91 and walking 24 in 83 1-3 innings. He yielded only 47 hits, holding opponents to a .167 batting average.

“Certainly the first credit goes to Andrew. It's also a credit to our staff and the people who saw the change to the bullpen being a good step,” general manager Billy Beane said. “He had always been a prospect, but as a starter he hit a wall. There was a suggestion to move him to the bullpen and he hasn't looked back. Since he made the switch to the ‘pen he's been dominant.”

Bailey became the third Oakland player in six years to win the award, joining closer Huston Street (2005) and shortstop Bobby Crosby (2004).

After getting the news, Bailey packed a bag and rushed to the airport to catch a flight to Oakland for a news conference Tuesday. He said he heard from manager Bob Geren and got congratulatory text messages from about 10 teammates.

“It's been a crazy day,” he said.

Actually, the entire fall has been hectic for Bailey. He moved to Connecticut with his fiancee, Amanda, and they've been planning their wedding for next offseason.

And now, when he stops home in New Jersey, Bailey is often recognized.

“It's kind of strange to go out in the mall and have somebody come up to you and ask for your autograph and you're in street clothes,” he said. “It's kind of surreal.”

The AL Cy Young Award winner will be announced Tuesday.