2006 BayBears player awards announced
August 31, 2006 - Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Luis Cruz: After being selected to the Futures Game and Southern League All-Star Game in July, Luis Cruz now adds a post-season award, being selected as the BayBears 2006 Player of the Year. Through the first 134 games, Cruz was batting .261 with 12 home runs and a team leading 65 RBI's.
MVP - Stephen Smitherman: After being signed by the Padres months into the 2006 season, Stephen Smitherman added punch to the BayBears lineup and has been selected as the team MVP this season. The Oklahoma native leads the team with 19 home runs, good enough for fifth in the league. Smitherman made his Major League debut in 2003 with the Cincinnati Reds.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR- Sean Thompson: The only BayBears pitcher to make the All-Star team, Sean Thompson's strong second half sealed the Pitcher of the Year Award for 2006. Thompson made all 26 starts this season with one remaining, and has a 6-9 record with a 3.56 ERA. The Colorado native is on the San Diego Padres 40-man roster.
MOST POPULAR PLAYER- Drew Macias: The only outfielder to play with Mobile from start to finish in 2006, Drew Macias has been selected as the 2006 Most Popular BayBear Player. Macias was also a mid-season Southern League All-Star, and is hitting .258 with seven home runs and 46 RBI's.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD - Jose Oyervidez: Each year the BayBears honor a player who donated his time to the Mobile community during their season. This year, Jose Oyervidez joined others in many community appearances, and was in important part of the 2006 BayBears baseball camp. Oyervidez is the recipient of the 2006 BayBears Community Service Award.
Southern League Stories from August 31, 2006
- Chattanooga defeats Jaxx 3-1 - Jackson Generals
- Stars cap remarkable month of August with shutout win - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears topple Smokies 9-3 - Knoxville Smokies
- BayBears win sixth in a row, 9-3 - Mobile BayBears
- Braves take game one from Biscuits, 4-2 - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits' Andy Sonnanstine named to S.L. Postseason All-Star Team - Montgomery Biscuits
- Ernesto postpones series opener at Carolina - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Carolina-Jacksonville Postponed - Carolina Mudcats
- 2006 BayBears player awards announced - Mobile BayBears
- Barone joins Mudcats, Brauer sent down - Carolina Mudcats
- Devine heads to the bigs - Mississippi Braves
- Four Tennessee Smokies named to Postseason All-Star squad - Knoxville Smokies
- Southern League honors Shoemaker, Lundberg - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Joey Votto named Southern League Most Valuable Player - SL1
- Spike Lundberg named Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher - SL1
- John Shoemaker named Southern League Manager of the Year - SL1
- Southern League announces Postseason All-Star Team - SL1
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