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TL1 Corpus Christi Hooks

Clark, Albers take league honors

August 29, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release


(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) - Texas League President Tom Kayser announced the circuit's superlative awards today, and the Hooks captured two of the three major pieces of hardware. Dave Clark was named the 2006 Manager of the Year, while Matt Albers was tabbed as the 2006 Pitcher of the Year in voting by league managers, beat writers and broadcasters.

Clark, in his second season at the helm in Corpus Christi, guided the Hooks to a 41-28 record to capture the first-half title in the Texas League's South Division. Entering play Tuesday night, the Hooks' overall record of 74-59 was tied with Tulsa for best in the league.

"Dave has a knack for getting the most out of his players and pulling the guys together into a productive unit," stated Hooks' President and General Manager J.J. Gottsch. "He works hard daily to help the players improve individually, and despite the loss of some key players has kept our club strong in the second half."

The Hooks are 36-26 this season in games decided by one or two runs, and are 9-3 in extra-inning contests. Corpus Christi also has a winning record this year against every team in the league except for Tulsa and San Antonio. Clark and the Hooks, though, have a chance to finish above .500 against the Missions with games later this week in the Alamo City.

This is Clark's second Manager of the Year award in this his fourth season as a skipper in the minor leagues. Clark was also selected as the Carolina League Manager of the Year in 2003 when he directed the Lynchburg (Va.) HillCats to a 76-59 record and an appearance in the league's championship series.

In the seven seasons that Ryan-Sanders Baseball has owned an entry in the Texas League, its manager has captured the circuit's top honor four times. Jackie Moore was named the Texas League Manager of the Year three times (2000, 2001 and 2004) when the franchise competed as the Round Rock Express. Moore continues to manage Round Rock, now in its second season in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.

Albers' selection as the Texas League Pitcher of the Year brings the award to Corpus Christi for a second straight season. Jason Hirsh, now with the Houston Astros, was accorded the honor last year.

Albers, one of six pitchers chosen to the 2006 Texas League Post-Season All-Star Team, continues to lead the circuit with his 2.17 ERA, nearly a full run lower than his next closest challenger. In 19 starts for the Hooks before his mid-July promotion to Houston, Albers posted a 10-2 record and struck out 95 batters in 116 innings. Since he has met the minimum qualification for innings pitched (112), Albers is a strong candidate to capture the league's ERA crown.

The Sugar Land, Texas native, in his fifth season of pro ball, fashioned not one but two five-game winning streaks with the Hooks. He won five straight starts from April 18th through May 9th (four on the road), and ripped off another five-game streak from June 6th through July 2nd. He turned in 13 quality starts, and in 13 of his 19 starts held the opposition to two or fewer runs.

Albers is currently in the Round Rock rotation, where he is 2-1 with a 3.96 ERA in four starts for the Express. In three outings during his stay with the Astros, Albers was 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA. On July 27th at Minute Maid Park, Albers tossed five innings of shutout relief against the Cincinnati Reds.

2006 Texas League Post-Season Superlatives

Player of the Year: Alex Gordon, Wichita Wranglers

Pitcher of the Year: Matt Albers, Corpus Christi Hooks

Manager of the Year: Dave Clark, Corpus Christi Hooks

Nolan Ryan to throw out first pitch in Game 1 of playoffs

Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, one of the principal owners of the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Round Rock Express, will be at Whataburger Field on Tuesday, September 5th, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the first-ever playoff game in Hooks' history. Corpus Christi will host the first two games of the Texas League's South Division playoffs.

Ryan's appearance on the mound next Tuesday will mark the first time that the major league strikeout king has thrown out a first pitch at Whataburger Field. Former mayor Loyd Neal threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in the Hooks' inaugural 2005 season and Corpus Christi native Brooks Kieschnick did the honors before the 2006 opener April 6.

"Dad is thrilled about coming down to Corpus Christi for the Hooks' first playoff appearance,"

Ryan-Sanders CFO Reese Ryan said. "He always looks forward to seeing old friends and new fans at Whataburger Field."

Hooks' Bait - Josh Anderson's three hits last night increased his league-leading hit total to 171 for the season.

Anderson was an accomplished basketball player during his high school days in Kentucky, and once won a slam dunk contest!

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Texas League Stories from August 29, 2006


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.

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