IL honors players of the week
Published on June 14, 2004 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Toledo outfielder Marcus Thames and Columbus pitcher Brad Halsey have been named the League's Batter and Pitcher-of-the-Week for the period of June 7-13. Thames becomes the first Mud Hen honored in 2004, while Halsey is the third Clippers' pitcher honored this season, joining Sam Marsonek and Alex Graman.
Toledo outfielder MARCUS THAMES is having a magical season and put together another solid week in a year of outstanding efforts. The 27-year-old opened the week with a pair of homers - a solo shot in the first inning and a three-run blast in the third - as part of a three-hit effort, but it was not enough as the Hens fell to Richmond, 6-5. Thames hit his 20th homer of the season on Tuesday in a losing effort, marking the earliest an IL player has reached 20 HR in a season since at least 1986. The Louisville, MS native made it three straight days with a round-tripper in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the R-Braves, launching a three-run blast in the fifth inning. Marcus had his only hitless game of the week on Thursday, but walked twice (two of his eight free passes on the week), stole a base and scored a run in a 4-3 win. Toledo traveled to Norfolk on Friday, with Thames connecting on a home run as part of a three-hit effort in a 6-4 loss. The right-hander doubled and scored a run in Saturday's 10-1 win, then walked in a pair of plate appearances in yesterday's 10-6 loss. Thames, who was both the Tigers' Minor League Player of the Month and the Topps/IL Player of the Month for May, is among the IL leaders in nearly every offensive category. He leads the circuit in home runs, RBI, runs scored, slugging percentage, and extra-base hits (42), is third in on-base percentage, fourth in doubles, tied for fifth in hits, and ninth in average.
Thames, currently in his eighth professional season, signed with the Detroit organization during the off-season as a free agent. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the 30th Round of the 1996 June Draft and was named the system's #1 Prospect by Baseball America entering the 2002 season. He played in the IL for Columbus in 2002 & 2003 before being traded to Texas last June. He has spent parts of each of the past two seasons in the Major Leagues.
The struggling Columbus Clippers managed only one win this past week, but it came in the form of a gem by left-hander BRAD HALSEY. The 23-year-old Halsey took the hill on Thursday, trying to stop the Clippers' three-game losing skid, and came through with a complete game victory. Halsey, a native of Houston, limited Rochester to a pair of hits and walked two batters in Columbus' 4-0 win. He fanned six in his second complete game of the season. Halsey has been a contender for the IL Pitcher-of-the-Week award over the past several weeks, going 4-0 with 21 strikeouts and a 0.32 ERA in his last four starts. His recent performance has seen the former University of Texas star move among the IL's leaders in ERA (4th), wins (T-4th), complete games (T-1st), shutouts (T-1st), and innings pitched (7th).
Halsey, the Yankees' 8th Round pick in the 2002 June Draft, is currently in his first season at the Triple-A level. He tied for the Minor League Baseball lead in victories last year in his first full professional season, going a combined 17-9 with a 4.21 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 29 games for Class A Tampa and Double-A Trenton. Brad went 7-2 with a 2.74 ERA as a junior on Texas' 2002 College World Series Championship team prior to being drafted by New York.
International League Stories from June 14, 2004
- Indians Drop Two More In Double Header - Indianapolis Indians
- Claussen, Bats, Double Up On Barons - Louisville Bats
- Lynx Lose Big To Bisons, 14-4 - Ottawa Lynx
- IL honors players of the week - IL1
- Thames Honored Again - Toledo Mud Hens
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
