NEW YORK -- Jeff Bailey started at first base last night for the Red Sox. He did so as the International League MVP. Bailey was named winner of the award yesterday afternoon. His ex-PawSox teammate, Charlie Zink, was named the I.L.'s Most Valuable Pitcher.

Bailey and Zink, along with Pawtucket's Chris Carter and Joe Thurston, were also named to the season-ending I.L. All-Star Team. Bailey becomes the first PawSox player in 22 years to be named the league's MVP. Former PawSox player Pat Dodson won the award in 1986.

Other PawSox MVPs include Jim Rice (1974), Ted Cox (1977), Gary Allenson (1978) and Dave Stapleton (1979).

Bailey, 29, had a huge season for the PawSox. Even though he's with Boston - his third stint with the Sox this season - Bailey still leads the I.L. with 88 runs scored and is second with a .562 slugging percentage. His .405 on-base percentage is third in the league and his 25 home runs also ranks third.

"It was my best year ever," said Bailey, who almost did not re-sign with the Red Sox organization during the offseason. "It was a great decision [to re-sign]. Not only for being with Boston right now, and for getting this award, it opens a lot of doors for next year. I won't have to stress out as much during the offseason."

Zink, who turned 29 yesterday and made his major-league debut with the Red Sox this month, becomes the first PawSox pitcher to win the award since Bronson Arroyo (2003). Zink, a knuckleball pitcher, is tied for the lead with 14 wins and is second with a 2.92 ERA.

Zink and Bailey become the first teammates to win both awards in the same season since Butch Huskey and Jason Isringhausen of Norfolk did it in 1995.