Season 11 Wrap-Up

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Buffalo battles back to take it all in Season 11!

That's a wrap on Season 11, and it ended in a thrilling World Series between Buffalo and New Britain that saw Buffalo come back from a 3-0 deficit in the series, and then take Game 7 in a commanding fashion, winning 12-0.  Buffalo headed into the World Series after a surprising upset over Oklahoma City in the NLCS, who had won two out of the last three World Series and was a dominant #1 team in the world all year, winning 120 games.   It looked liked the magic was over, as they dropped the first three games of the World Series, but mounted an epic comeback with solid hitting, which had eluded them much of the year, and great pitching, which was their trademark all year.  In fact, three of the last four games in the series were shutouts by Buffalo.  In the midst of all the great pitching performances, Jeremy Randall was leading the offense by getting on base and launching 6 bombs in the playoffs.

The lack of offense by New Britain in the last four games was puzzling, as they were one of the top offensive teams in the league.  They look poised to be solid again next season, and should regroup from a tough loss to be one of the AL's top teams again.

That's it for Season 11, we'll be back after a hopefully quick rollover for Season 12.  In the meantime, spread the word about the great world that Kenny Powers is, and let your friends, family, coworkers, etc, know there's a limited time opportunity to join in on the fun!   See you next season!

Season 11 Award Winners

The awards for season 11 were handed out.  Here's a recap of the winners!

Most Valuable Player
American League - Weldon Rando, Cincinnati - .301 AVG 26 HR 86 RBI 89 SB
It was a tight race for AL MVP, but Rando, the league leader in runs and stolen bases, took the crown.  Rando also posted a nice batting average and home run and RBI totals for a lead-off man.  Surprisingly enough, Rando didn't even make the all-star team, but he did win the Silver Slugger award, his first.  Rando just edged out slugger Roger Baker for the award.  Baker put up tremendous power numbers, but in the end, the all around star took home the award.

National League - Robb Ross, Boston - .348 AVG 31 HR 121 RBI
The NL race wasn't as tight, with Ross taking the trophy home after winning the batting title and leading the league in slugging and OPS.  Ross led Boston to a division title, was a starter in the All Star Game, and won a Silver Slugger award.  This is the 2nd MVP win for Ross, as he took the AL MVP crown is Season 9.  A tremendous season indeed! Joaquin Valverde of Oklahoma City finished 2nd, and also had great numbers all around, but couldn't quite get the vote over Ross.

Cy Young Award
American League - Clyde Hurst, Vancouver - 18-8 2.42 ERA 213 K
After leading the league in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts and quality starts, there was little doubt that Hurst would take home the AL Cy Young Award.  This is his 3rd win, which ties the record for the World, and 2nd in a row.  At just age 28, there's no telling how many more Cy Young Awards Hurst could win before he is done.  Hurst also made the All Star Team this year. 

National League - Matty Posada, Louisville - 24-3 2.55 ERA 218 K
Posada won the NL Cy Young in a close race with Oklahoma City's Richard Ma. Both put up extremely impressive numbers this season, but is with the wins leader Posada who came out on top.  This is Posada's 2nd Cy Young Award, as he also won the NL Cy Young in Season 9.  He also made the All Star team.  Again, Posada is only 27, so he has the potential to win more, but not if Ma has anything to say about it. 

Rookie of the Year
American League - Felipe Roque, Dover - 15-8 3.53 ERA
Roque was a runaway winner for AL Rookie of the Year.  The 26 year-old put up great numbers in his rookie campaign.  He also made the All Star team.  Roque looks like he'll be a solid SP for many seasons to come.

National League - Tony Tavarez, Oklahoma City - 12-4 2.25 ERA
Tavarez was also a runaway winner in taking home the NL Rookie of the Year.  Tavarez, an early season call-up, but up extremely impressive ERA and WHIP numbers in his rookie campaign, along with just about every other pitcher on Oklahoma City.  The 23 year-old has many great seasons ahead of him.

Fireman of the Year
American League - Alfredo Jose, Augusta - 3.05 ERA, 49 SV - 1st win
National League - Dan Ohlendorf, Salem - 2.54 ERA, 51 SV - 1st win

Silver Slugger Awards
American League

DH	Roger Baker	Dover	2nd
C	Trenidad Franco	Pawtucket	1st
1B	Wilton Gang	Little Rock	2nd
2B	Sherman Perez	Pawtucket	1st
3B	Jimmy Fox	Texas	1st
SS	Luis Vega	Pawtucket	3rd
LF	Butch Borland	Dover	2nd
CF	Weldon Rando	Cincinnati	1st
RF	Ivy Mench	Pawtucket	1st

National League 

P	Howie Kelly	Memphis	1st
C	Jeremy Randall	Buffalo	3rd
1B	Wandy Javier	Rochester	3rd
2B	Robb Ross	Boston	2nd
3B	Randy Gonzales	Chicago	1st
SS	Greg Benjamin	Helena	1st
LF	Bob Cambridge	Louisville	4th
CF	Jose Rincon	Oklahoma City	2nd
RF	Al Martin	Tacoma	1st

Gold Glove Awards
American League

P	Javier Bonilla	Los Angeles	1st
C	Albert Gabriel	Augusta	1st
1B	Alan McDill	Dover	2nd
2B	Phil Hardy	Vancouver	1st
3B	Chipper Nippert	Vancouver	2nd
SS	Tom Post	Dover	2nd
LF	Walker Woodson	Nashville	1st
CF	Pepe Mendoza	Little Rock	2nd
RF	Dustin Hanson	Nashville	1st

National League

P	Dennis Gibson	Tacoma	5th
C	Bruce Sterns	Helena	2nd
1B	Jim Tanner	Boston	1st
2B	Michel Garces	Durham	3rd
3B	Humberto Lee	Memphis	1st
SS	Damaso Ethier	Oklahoma City	1st
LF	Rob Hutton	Boston	1st
CF	Philip Brock	Boston	1st
RF	Donaldo Alvarez	Burlington	1st