AllKnighters announce seasonal awards
October 3, 2001
(AP) Ann Arbor - Today, at a press conference following the teams
final game of the 2001 season, AllKnighter's management announced awards
for the season.
Johnny Damon was named the team's MVP. Damon hit .325 with 27 HR, 100
RBI, 13 SB and set a team record with 122 runs scored. Damon, who lead
the league with 61 doubles, finished in the top ten in several
categories: including BA, hits, Slugging, runs scored, RBI and runs
created. Damon's great season was a great accomplishment considering an
AllKnighters offense in flux with the losses of Quinten McCraken and
Omar Vizquel and cleanup hitter Scott Stahoviak missing a lot of time.
Outstanding pitcher of the year, in an unanimous decision, was Ira
Colon. Colon set a team record for lowers ERA for a starter (min 120 IP)
with a sparkling 2.50 ERA. Colon pitched in both the rotation and the
closer role, pitching flawless in relief appearences allowing no runs.
Colon, who has the best overall ERA since the team's move to Ann Arbor,
posted his second consecutive sub-3.00 ERA.
AllKnighter Rookie of the Year was Derek Lee. Lee, acquired prior to the
season, hit .273 with 18 HR and 66 RBI with a .482 SLUG. Lee spent much
of the year hitting in the 7th slot in the lineup until finally filling
in as the cleanup hitter when an injury beset 1B Scott Stahoviak.
Field manager Buddy Bell was pleased with the progress of his younger
talent and is looking forward to a new infusion of youngsters from the
team's minor ranks, including the speedy Chad Hermensen, Scott
Williamson and Don Coker. "We think this year of experience should
really improve this offense for next year. We have some guys with great
promise. We should be a better team next year. We can't wait until the
offseason to begin talking trade. We have a few things we want to do."
