Crede Wins AL Player of the Week
Published on September 4, 2002 under International League (IL1)
Charlotte Knights News Release
FORT MILL, S.C. - Chicago White Sox rookie and former Charlotte Knights third baseman Joe Crede, who topped the American League in RBIs and tied for the league lead in doubles and home runs, has been named American League Player of the Week for the period ending Sept. 1.
In five games, Crede batted .409 (9-for-22) with five runs, three doubles, four home runs, 11 RBIs and a 1.091 slugging percentage. Crede, who made his 2002 debut on July 30, hit two home runs and collected seven RBIs in an 8-4 win over Toronto on Aug. 27. His first home run, a ninth-inning, two-run shot, tied the game at 4-4, and his first career grand slam in the 10th inning gave the White Sox a victory. Crede also homered in consecutive wins at Detroit on Aug. 30-31.
Other candidates for the weekly award were Anaheim's Adam Kennedy (.462, 2 HR, 9 RBIs), Boston Red Sox OF and former Knight Manny Ramirez (.370, 3 HR, 8 RBIs), Cleveland Indian and former Knight Jim Thome (.444, 4 HR, 7 RBIs), Alfonso Soriano (.333, 4 HR, 9 RBIs) of the New York Yankees, Seattle's Desi Relaford (AL-best .579, 1 HR, 2 RBIs) and Carl Everett (.538, 5 RBIs) and Ivan Rodriguez (.462, 4 HR, 9 RBIs) of Texas.
The nominated pitchers were John Lackey (2-0, 3.09) and Ramon Ortiz (1-0, 2.35, five-hit shutout) of the Angels, Mark Buehrle (1-0, 2.00, seven-hit shutout) and former Knight Jon Garland (1-0, six-hit shutout) of the White Sox and Mike Mussina (1-0, three-hit shutout) of the Yankees.
Crede will receive an engraved timepiece from gametimeshop.com as an American League Player of the Week.
The 24-year-old was also recently named to the 2002 International League Post-Season All-Star team and was the International League's Batter of the Week June 3rd. He is a two-time member of the IL team for the Triple-A All-Star Game in both 2001 and 2002 and a two-time league MVP with Birmingham in the Southern League in 2000 and in the Carolina League with Winston-Salem in 1998, where he fell two home runs short of winning the league's Triple Crown (.315-20-88). The 6-3, 195-pound third baseman has been a White Sox prospect since 1998, ranking as high as number two that season, to his current number five ranking. He has led his team at some point during the season in average, hits, RBI, runs scored, doubles, home runs, total bases and/or slugging percentage since he was drafted by the White Sox in the fifth round of the 1996 draft out of Fatima High School in Westphalia, Mo.
International League Stories from September 4, 2002
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