Nick Guerra wins GBL Rookie of the Year
September 19, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
San Diego Surf Dawgs News Release
SAN DIEGO, CALIF September 19, 2005- Nick Guerra, catcher/third baseman, for the San Diego Surf Dawgs won the GBL Rookie of the Year Award in a close contest. Guerra, a 24 year-old rookie out of San Jose State, led all rookies in Hits (87), Home Runs (7), RBIs (62), Total Bases (130), and Walks (30) while finishing with a .290 batting average in 300 At Bats as he played in 83 of his team's 90 games. In addition, he was voted to the GBL All-Star team in mid-season and was the California Division Player of the Week in late July. Although new at third base, he was an accomplished catcher having been a top high school player in San Diego, and then an all-conference selection at Grossmont College in San Diego before accepting a scholarship to San Jose State where he led the Spartans in home runs in 2003. Nick attended the first GBL player tryouts in December in Fullerton and was a top selection by Manager Terry Kennedy who signed him as a catcher before being converted to 3rd base at spring training.
Several San Diego Surf Dawgs were honorably mentioned for the Inaugural Season awards, including staff ace Jeff Blitstein who came in second for Pitcher of the Year. Jeff had a 10-3 record and a 2.92 ERA. Jeff threw the first pitch of the season and the last pitch of the season for the Surf Dawgs as he closed out the Championship Game for San Diego. Chico Outlaw Grant Gregg won the award with a 12-2 record and a 1.97 ERA. Second Baseman/Outfielder, Adam Mandel was third in the Rookie of the Year voting with a .309 average and 49 Runs. Adam started the season as an outfielder, however made an easy transition to second base and became a reliable defender up the middle for the Surf Dawgs. Outfielder Scott Goodman was fourth in the MVP voting for the GBL. His numbers .310, 12 HRs, 69 RBIs, and 66 Runs proved he was one of the best offensive threats within the Golden Baseball League. Surprise Fightin' Falcon Desi Wilson won the award with a .411 batting average. Josh Rummonds, Surf Dawg middle reliever, was fourth in the voting for Rookie Pitcher of the Year. Josh had a 4-1 record, 2.63 ERA in 27 appearances. Josh was a left handed specialist for Manager Terry Kennedy who let Josh pitch 2.2 innings in the Championship Game as he was one out away from closing out the Mesa Miners before Blitstein came in for the extra support. Mesa Miner starter Manny Ayala won the award by going 12-4.
"I am very proud of not only Nick Guerra, but all of our players who received consideration for GBL awards," said Juliana Paoli General Manager. "The Surf Dawgs played hard all season and deserve the recognition for being a part of the GBL Championship team. Nick Guerra was one of the Surf Dawgs hometown heroes; it was great to watch him play in front of his family and friends."
Act Now as Season Ticket Packages are now on sale for the 2006 season at 2005 prices. Prices start at $360 for Full Season and $200 for Half Season. Ten and five game packages will be sold once the new season schedule comes out. For more information please contact Joe McMackin, Director of Ticket Sales at (619) 282-HITS (4487) or email [email protected] be sure to ask about the Early Incentive Package.
About the Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, Presented by Safeway Inc./VONS, is a professional baseball league operating under a single-entity ownership model, with the League owning all the individual teams. Charter Golden Baseball League teams include the Chico Outlaws in Chico; CA, the Fullerton Flyers in Fullerton; CA, the Long Beach Armada in Long Beach; CA, the 2005 GBL Champions San Diego Surf Dawgs in San Diego; CA, the Mesa Miners in Mesa; AZ, the Surprise Fightin' Falcons in Surprise; AZ, the Yuma Scorpions in Yuma; AZ and the Japan Samurai Bears which was a traveling team. The season consisted of 90 games per team and began in late May and ended in early September.
For general information, please visit our League web site at www.goldenbaseball.com or for the Surf Dawgs visit www.sdsurfdawgs.com or call (619) 282-HITS (4487).
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Golden Baseball League Stories from September 19, 2005
- Nick Guerra wins GBL Rookie of the Year - San Diego Surf Dawgs
- GBL sells contract of Manny Ayala to San Diego Padres - GBL
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