Davilla Named NEL Player of the Year

Published on September 4, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am) News Release

DURHAM, N.C. – Allentown first baseman Vic Davilla was named the Daktronics Northeast League Player of the Year on Thursday by vote of league managers and media.

Missing the triple crown by one home run and three points of batting average, Davilla ranked first in the league in runs batted in (74), first in on-base percentage (.419), first in slugging percentage (.601), second in batting average (.338), second in home runs (20), second in hits (112), second in runs (58), third in extra-base hits (46), tied for third in walks (42) and ninth in doubles (25). He played in all 90 games – 57 at first base, 30 at second base and four at designated hitter – and stole two bases in 331 at bats.

Davilla joins Francisco Matos (2001) and Scott Samuels (2000) as the third Ambassador recipient of the award in the last four years.

Davilla, 30, spent four years in the Toronto organization from 1993-96 and the last seven in the Northeast League with Adirondack, Albany-Colonie and Allentown for the first time in 2003. He is the Northeast League career record holder in hits (654), doubles (142), home runs (72) and runs batted in (367). Hist two home run performance on August 19 versus North Shore tied and broke the career home run mark of 70 set by Jon Mueller (Albany/Adirondack).

The New York City native participated in the Northeast League All-Star Game in Québec as part of the world team because of his Puerto Rican heritage. He also served this year as the director of player procurement and hitting coach for the Ambassadors.

Daktronics is a nationally known manufacturer of electronic scoring and informational display equipment including LED video replay boards. The Brookings, S.D., company can be reached at daktronics.com.

Northeast League Player of the Year recipients:
2003 – Vic Davilla, 1b, Allentown
2002 – Lorenzo de la Cruz, dh, Adirondack
2001 – Francisco Matos, 2b, Allentown
2000 – Scott Samuels, 3b, Allentown
1999 – Carmine Cappuccio, of, New Jersey
1998 – Dan Kopriva, 1b, Albany-Colonie, & John DeSilva, rhp, New Jersey
1997 – Tom Russin, 1b, Waterbury, & Gardner O'Flynn, lhp, Massachusetts
1996 – Paul Reinisch, 3b, Albany, & Ed Riley, lhp, Albany Release:
1995 – Hugh Walker, of, Mohawk Valley, & Jeff Letourneau, rhp, Albany

Canadian American League Stories from September 4, 2003

• Jackals win game one 10-0 - New Jersey Jackals
• Bears Blanked by Jodie and the Patriots, 10-0 - Newark Bears
• Ken Daneyko to Suit Up for Newark Bears - Newark Bears
• Vic Davilla Named Northeast League Player of the Year - Allentown Ambassadors
• Davilla Named NEL Player of the Year - Can-Am

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