Another Successful Year for the Hawks
Published on September 5, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1) News Release
BOISE, ID - The Hawks put a bow on 2008 - another season of unparalleled success both on the field and off!
109,082 fans enjoyed Hawks baseball in 2008. That's an average of 2,871 fans per game (Memorial Stadium seats 3,352) and an increase of 6,204 fans from the 2007 season. In fact, this year's attendance total was the highest since 2005! Overall, Minor League Baseball attendance has increased in each of the past 5 years and eclipsed the 43 million fan mark this season for the first time ever.
The Hawks finished the season with the 2nd best record (43-33) in the Northwest League. It was the club's best record since the last Championship season of 2004.
Manager Tom Beyers' club placed 4 players on the post-season NWL All-Star team (the highest number of players for any NWL team).
Third baseman Josh Vitters was the only unanimous selection for the All-Star team. He finished the year with the 4th best batting average in the NWL (.328), 3rd in hits (85), 1st in doubles (25), 4th in slugging percentage (.498) and 2nd in extra-base hits (32). Vitters' 25 doubles are the second highest total in Boise Hawks history. Matt Curtis hit 29 for the Hawks in 1996.
Ryan Keedy was named the NWL's All-Star DH. Keedy finished the year 3rd in the NWL in hitting (.333), 4th in hits (84) and 5th in on-base percentage (.419).
Despite playing just 33 games with the Hawks before being promoted to Peoria, Josh Harrison was named the NWL's All-Star 2nd baseman. Harrison hit (.351) and had 25 RBIs in those 33 games.
Ryan Flaherty was named the NWL's All-Star shortstop. He finished 10th in the league in hitting (.297), 5th in doubles (19), 3rd in slugging percentage (.511) and 4th in extra-base hits (29).
Flaherty's slugging percentage was the 4th highest in Hawks history. Russ Canzler (2006) leads that category for the Hawks all-time (.543). Note: Drew Rundle had a (.563) slugging percentage this year but didn't have enough at bats to knock Canzler out of the all-time lead.
Off the field, the Hawks raised thousands of dollars for charity this season spread over a number of organizations that included: St. Luke's Children's Hospital, First Tee of Idaho, Main Street Mile/Prostate Cancer, Garden City Police & Fire, Special Olympics World Winter Games, Boise Rescue Mission and HawksNation Charity just to name a few.
The Hawks just completed their 22nd season of Northwest League play. The club has won 6 NWL Championships, the most recent banner coming in 2004. For ticketing information call 322-5000. Don't stand in line. Purchase and print your tickets from home @ BoiseHawks.com. The Boise Hawks, Rated "F" for fun!
Midwest League Stories from September 5, 2008
- Cougars' Season Comes to an End - Kane County Cougars
- Bees Score Nine and Head to Western Division Championship Series - Burlington Bees
- Blowout Whitecaps win forces decisive game three - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Dragons To Wait Until Sunday To Continue Playoff Run - Dayton Dragons
- Another Successful Year for the Hawks - MWL1
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