OAKLAND, Calif. — Huston Street has been receiving congratulations around his hometown in Texas for close to a week.

He kept telling everybody — most politely, of course — the gestures were premature, knowing the letdown would be huge if he didn't get chosen American League Rookie of the Year.

It's official now.

Street, who took over the closer job for the Oakland Athletics in May, earned 15 of 28 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard won the NL award Monday after getting called up twice from Triple-A last season.

In Austin, the hype surrounding Street's standout rookie season has been significant — just as it was throughout his college career for Texas. His father, James, was a football and baseball star for the school and led the Longhorns to a national title in football in 1969.

Street, a 22-year-old right-hander, is the second A's player in as many years to win the award, following in the footsteps of shortstop Bobby Crosby. Street earned a spot on the opening day roster after Chad Bradford's troublesome back required surgery, then got promoted to closer when Octavio Dotel went down with a season-ending elbow injury May 20.

Street went 5-1 with 23 saves in 27 chances and a 1.72 ERA — second among AL closers behind New York's Mariano Rivera, one of the pitchers Street most admires. Behind Street in voting was New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano with 57 points, followed by Tampa Bay designated hitter Jonny Gomes with 39.

"I would never wish the injuries to Bradford and Dotel, but those are the injuries that opened the door for me," Street said in a brief visit to the Bay Area for a baseball card show. "Sometimes you've got to get lucky, too. When the phone rings, I immediately want to get in the game."

For Howard, the final phone call bringing him up from the minors for good came July 1. He replaced injured star Jim Thome at first base and led all rookies with 22 home runs. Howard received 19 of 32 first-place votes and 109 points to beat out Astros outfielder Willy Taveras, who got 78 points. Atlanta right fielder Jeff Francoeur was third with 60.

Howard's success might make things hard on the Phillies as they plan for 2006: Will he be the starter again or perhaps change positions? Will they try to part ways with a healthy Thome?

"I'm getting tired of hearing people say it's a good problem to have. We've got to find out how we're going to use him," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We're very fortunate we had a player like this in the minor leagues. When Thome went down, the rest is history. He's one reason why we had the success that we had."

Howard, who has yet to begin his offseason workout routine, won't allow himself to worry about what's next or things that are out of his control. He's going to let his play on the field be the determining factor for Philadelphia, and stick with what's worked for him already.

He certainly showed he can fill big shoes.

"I knew there was going to be outside pressure," Howard said. "I just tried to keep it fun. It wasn't until I found out he was going to have surgery that I was going to be here the rest of the year."

Street wasted no time heading back to Texas after a press conference in Oakland and the card show appearance. He was scheduled for a redeye flight just after midnight Tuesday morning, hoping for some sleep on the plane after waking up several times Sunday night in anticipation of the announcement.

Street had a workout to get to Tuesday morning, and he didn't dare be late.

He has a long to-do list heading into his second season, after getting 72 strikeouts in 78 1-3 innings as a rookie and limiting opponents to a .194 batting average.

"I can't imagine somebody else having the type of year Huston had and doing what he did for us," A's pitching coach Curt Young said. "Huston's really confident in his abilities and he's been used to being in that closer situation in college, and during the half year he spent in the minor leagues. He earned the right to get an opportunity in that job. I just look at Huston's attitude and more than anything he wants to be on a world championship team. He's been a winner wherever he's played and he will bring that here."

Street plans to give his plaque to his parents.

"He worked hard," James Street said. "The biggest thing is he got lucky with the Dotel situation, but he went out and got the job done. I'm awful proud of him, his mom and I both are."

Street still lives at home, and has a snappy comeback for those who mock him for living under his parents' roof at this age.

"It is time to grow up, I guess," he said, chuckling. "But I ask my teammates how often they get breakfast cooked for them. I get it every morning and every night. I've got a pretty good deal going on."