NEW YORK (Ticker) --- His team fell just short of the playoffs, but Scott Williamson of the Cincinnati Reds finished first in the race for Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year.

Williamson today became the first Cincinnati player in 11 years to win the award named for its first recipient, collecting 118 points in the balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

The 23-year-old Williamson collected 17 first-place votes, nine for second and six for third to finish ahead of outfielder Preston Wilson of the Florida Marlins, who had nine first-place votes and 88 points.

The only player named on all 32 ballots, Williamson is the seventh Red to win the award and the first since Chris Sabo in 1988. Other Cincinnati winners were Frank Robinson (1956), Pete Rose (1963), Tommy Helms (1966), Johnny Bench (1968) and Pat Zachry (1976).

"It's nice to just be mentioned with the likes of guys like that," said Williamson, who came to spring training as a non-roster invitee. "This is really a shock."

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Warren Morris was third with 69 points and received the other six first-place votes. The ballots from two writers from each NL city were collected at the end of the regular season and tabulated on a 5-3-1 points format.

Williamson was 12-7 with a 2.41 ERA and 19 saves for the Reds, who won 96 games but lost a one-game playoff for the wild card to the New York Mets. He is the first reliever to win the award since Todd Worrell of St. Louis in 1986.

According to Williamson, the man most responsible for his suceess was veteran Stan Belinda, who tutored him on the fine points of being a reliever. Belinda, however, was recently traded to Colorado.

"It broke my heart to find he won't be here next year, but it's a growing up process," Williamson said.

Williamson was more effective early in the season, posting a 1.66 ERA before the All-Star break. He was bothered by shoulder tendinitis late in the year and had a 6.55 ERA in his last eight appearances. But he still finished with 107 strikeouts in 93 1/3 innings.

The recognition comes as Reds management considers making him a starter, which he was for two years in the minors, because of the late-season arm trouble he developed from frequent work.

"I'll do whatever I have to do to help the team. I think my arm can handle both," added Williamson, who pitched 23 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings from April 30 to June 11, the NL's longest streak of the year.

Wilson was bypassed by the writers after being named top NL rookie in the Players Choice Award on Friday. Wilson, 25, hit .280 with 26 home runs and 71 RBI in 149 games.

Righthander Kris Benson was a distant fourth in the voting with five points. Shortstop Alex Gonzalez of Florida (four), second baseman-outfielder Joe McEwing of St. Louis (three) and reliever Kevin McGlinchy of Atlanta (one) were the only other players to receive votes.

The NL Rookie of the Year is the first of eight awards to be presented over the next two weeks. The top American League rookie will be announced on Tuesday.

The NL and AL Managers of the Year will be named Wednesday and Thursday, respectively with the Reds' Jack McKeon among the favorites for the NL honor. The Most Valuable Players and Cy Young Award winners in each league will be announced next week.