Baseball-Donaldson, Harper win Hank Aaron honors for hitting

NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays and Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals have been selected as winners of the 2015 Hank Aaron Award as Major League Baseball's top offensive performers. Donaldson, the American League recipient, batted .297 with 122 runs scored, 184 hits, 41 doubles, 41 home runs and 123 RBIs, a .371 on-base percentage and a .568 slugging percentage in 158 games in his first season with Toronto after a trade with Oakland. Harper, the National League winner, hit a career-best .330 with 118 runs scored, 172 hits, 38 doubles, 42 home runs, 99 RBIs, a .460 on-base percentage and a .649 slugging percentage in 153 games. "I feel very fortunate and blessed to be in this situation today," Donaldson said after being presented the award on Saturday by Aaron and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. "Not just being a baseball player, but I've been a baseball fan my entire life. To be able to sit here and sit beside Hank Aaron, just what he's meant to the game, it's a real honor." Harper appeared at the ceremony prior to Game Four of the World Series via a video hook-up. "Mr. Aaron is an icon not only in baseball but in American history. It is a privilege to be associated with Mr. Aaron and all the great players that have previously won this award," said Harper, 23. The award was established in 1999 to honor the 25th anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. Fans voted for the award on MLB.com, and a special panel of Hall of Fame players led by Aaron joined in voting for the award. The Hall of Fame panel was comprised of former offensive standouts including Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Craig Biggio, Eddie Murray, Frank Thomas and Robin Yount. (Editing by Gene Cherry)