Fan Voting Begins for Top Outfielders
July 13, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS - Some of the most talented players ever in Sioux Falls Pheasants/Canaries history have patrolled the outfield of Sioux Falls Stadium.
Six have been identified as nominees for the Sioux Falls 20th-Anniversary Team, and fans will vote to determine the winners. Fans can vote once a day for their top three choices until July 19 on the Pheasants' website, www.sfpheasants.com.
Fans can select their top choice from these candidates:
Reggie Abercrombie (2010 - 2011) - In 2010, the all-star center fielder was near the top of the league in every major offensive category, including setting a new league record for runs scored (89). He batted .328 with 22 home runs and 90 RBI. Despite an injury-hampered start in 2011, Abercrombie finished the season batting .304 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI, second on the team in each of those categories. In two full seasons, he has batted .315 with 39 home runs and 156 RBI. He is five steals shy of the team's career lead. From 2006 - 2008, Abercrombie played in 180 big league games with the Florida Marlins and Houston Astros.
Chad Hermansen (2006) - Hermansen made the most of his only season in Sioux Falls. The former major-leaguer was the lone Canaries post-season all-star in 2006. He led the team in average (.317), hits (119), home runs (19) and RBI (46). He swatted 35 doubles, then a team record. Hermansen played parts of six seasons - 189 games - at the big league level with the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. He was a first-round draft pick of the Pirates in 1999.
Felix Pagan (2000-2004) - Before Trevor Lawhorn broke his record this season, "El Gato" had played in more games than any other player in Sioux Falls history (320). The Puerto Rican native is the career leader in nearly every major offensive category - home runs (65), RBI (235), at-bats (1,341), runs (227), hits (416), total bases (700), and extra-base hits (147). Pagan strung together five straight seasons of solid production, with three seasons hitting above .300 and never below .280. Pagan's strongest season was 2001, when he earned Northern League all-star honors for hitting .331 with 19 home runs and 66 RBI. He collected 127 hits and swiped 13 bases. Although he most often played infield, the versatile defender played nearly one-third of his games in the outfield.
Chris Powell (1993-1994, 1996-1997) - Powell was remarkably consistent across his four seasons and 210 games with Sioux Falls. He never posted an average below .300 or an on-base percentage below .400. His strongest season was 1994, when he led the team with .357 average and 105 hits. Powell is the team career leader in triples (17). His arm and glove were equally potent weapons. He is the team career leader in outfield assists (42) and putouts (494).
Charles Peterson (1999-2001, 2003) - Peterson is near the top of the career leader board in many offensive categories. He ranks fifth in career average (.318), fourth in home runs (45) and third in RBI (203). Peterson is second in hits (373) behind Felix Pagan and first in total bases (582). He is third in games (293) and runs (186). No Sioux Falls player has played more games in the outfield (257). Peterson earned an all-star status in 2001 for a blistering .364 average with 16 home runs and 76 RBI.
Ben Van Iderstine (2007-2009) - Van Iderstine had nearly identical seasons, statistically speaking, in 2007 and 2008. He hit .315/.448/.345 and .315/.399/.346 with 121 and 119 hits respectively. Van Iderstine patrolled the outfield for the 2008 championship team. The Canadian native struggled in 2009 but finished with a .308 career average in 207 games. He also owns the single-season record for sacrifice flies (8).
The results will be announced on Thursday, July 19 on "Throwback Thursday" when the Pheasants host the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Nominees were determined by a select group of organization members and Sioux Falls media personnel who have long observed the club.
The 20th-Anniversary Team will consist of two starting pitchers, two relief pitchers, one catcher, a representative from each infield position, three outfielders and a designated hitter. In addition, fans can vote for a manager.
The Sioux Falls Pheasants are in their 20th season of independent professional baseball. Information about season tickets and group outings is available by calling (605) 336-6060 or visiting www.sfpheasants.com.
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