Irvin Is Ram MVP; Hatcher Top Rookie

Cornerback LeRoy Irvin has won the Daniel F. Reeves Award as the Rams’ most valuable player for 1985, and punter Dale Hatcher the Carroll Rosenbloom Award as the club’s rookie of the year. Both played in last Sunday’s Pro Bowl game at Honolulu.

The awards, sponsored by Adohr Farms, are named for the late owners of the club.

Irvin, a sixth-year pro, had eight first-place votes and 57 points in balloting by 13 members of the Orange County Sports Writers Assn. and 16 members of the Southern California Sports Broadcasters. Next were Hatcher with 5 and 47, running back Eric Dickerson with 5 and 35 and linebacker Mike Wilcher with 4 and 32.

Hatcher, who led the National Football League with a net average--distance less return--of 38 yards, got all but one of the first-place votes as the team’s top rookie. Receiver Mike Young had the other first-place vote. Hatcher was a third-round draft choice from Clemson.

Irvin climaxed his best season last Sunday by intercepting two passes at Honolulu to help the NFC defeat the AFC, 28-24. He intercepted six passes during the regular season and one in the playoffs while earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.

Irvin is the first defensive player to win the award since safety Nolan Cromwell in 1981. Dickerson won it the previous two seasons and quarterback Vince Ferragamo was the winner in 1982.