Milwaukee (AP) - At the conclusion of one of the greatest month's in the history
of the PVBL, the league's Player of the Month selections were announced today.
After a month which was defined by hot races for division leads and some
bizarre streaks, as well as the contraversial adding of Maples Dogs brand
cookies to the league's banned substances list, a number of individuals
stood out from the rest of the players by performing on the field.
From the Enterprise League, Galena Hamsters' centerfielder Kenny Lofton
was selected as Player of the Month and Motor City Madmen's pitcher John
Smoltz was crowned Pitcher of the Month.
Washington Seadogs pitcher Alex Fernandez was selected as Pitcher of the Month
from the Defiant League. Player of the Month from the DL was Larimer outfielder
Jim Edmonds.
Larimer's Jim Edmonds was a big surprise pick. Despite playing for a sub-.500
team, Edmonds has racked up some phenominal numbers this season and in
particular the month of June. Edmonds hit .389 in June with 10 doubles and
11 home runs, as well as 30 RBIs. He struck out just six times. "I have to
a lot of praise to my teammates, in particular Brian S. Giles for making the
opposing pitchers pitch to me. I really enjoy the fans and the city of Larimer
and look forward to playing here for a long, long time." said Edmonds.
The closest and possibly the hardest pick of the month came with the EL's
Pitcher of the Month award. There was no clear cut standout from the mounds
of theEL this month, but a number of candidates. John Smoltz eeked out
Mississauga/Thunder Bay pitcher Kevin Brown and Deadwood hurler Greg Maddux.
Smoltz was just 3-1 in the month of June, but posted very impressive numbers
including a 1.67 ERA, 33 strikeouts, only 5 walks, and just 32 hits in 43
innings pitched. "Playing in Motor City, I've had the blessing of great run
support from my teammates, as well as a outstanding bunch of guys in the bullpen
to help clean up my mistakes. This award is as much their's as it is mine."
said the Motor City ace.
World Champion centerfielder Kenny Lofton knows what it takes to win. He has
been an integral part of Galena's success both last year and this year. He
has stayed a part of the team despite Matthew Peck's move toward youth. And
there is a reason for this. His leadership and skillful play on the field
has made him the most valuable Hamster. During the month of June, Lofton
hit a blazing .389 with an unbelievable four triples. But even more amazingly,
he stole 22 bases without being caught. "I've just been able to get some
amazing jumps. Particularly against those crappy Anchorage pitchers." said
Lofton. Lofton has also been the leader on defense for the Hamsters and
a great presence in the locker room.
Pitching in the DL can be tough at times. A number of parks in high
elevations along with a plethora of power hitters, including Frank Thomas
makes any pitcher's task a chore. But Washington Seadogs' hurler ALex
Fernandez was unhittable (well almost) in June. In 43 and 1/3 innings of work,
Fernandez gave up just 29 hits and only five walks. He struck out 27 batters
while allowing only eight runs to score. He recorded a 6-0 record for the
league's best team. "I was unstoppable. And combine that with our offense,
and its no wonder I was 6-0." said Fernandez.
Other performances in the month of June worthy of mention are Kevin Brown,
who recorded a record of 5-0 for Mississauga/Thunder Bay, as did David Cone
for Spokane. Hartford firstbaseman Mark McGwire slugged 15 home runs to lead
the league in the month. Washington Seadogs' second baseman Chuck Knoblauch
hit .405 for the month and lead the league in hits. Houston outfielder Jose
Canseco drove in 33 runs to lead the league in RBIs.
