Fans Can Vote for Best Relievers
Published on May 18, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS - After choosing the starting pitchers as the first members of the Sioux Falls Pheasants 20th-Anniversary Team, fans will now go to the bullpen.
The Pheasants unveiled six nominees for the top relievers in franchise history, the team announced on Friday.
Pheasants fans can visit the team's redesigned website, www.sfpheasants.com, and cast their votes through Wednesday, May 23, for their top two choices amongst these candidates:
Robert Andrakin (1993-1996) - As a part of the inaugural Canaries team in 1993, Andrakin went 5-4 with a 3.90 ERA and five saves. While they were respectable numbers, no one could have predicted his 1994 season based on that. Andrakin put together one of the most dominant relief performances in independent baseball history. Over 64 innings, Andrakin allowed just eight earned runs in 64 innings for a 1.12 ERA, a team and Northern League record. He struck out 72 batters and notched 11 saves. He finished his Sioux Falls career with 22 saves and 191 strikeouts in 193 1/3 innings pitched.
Aaron Cotter (2009 - 2011) - Cotter joined the Pheasants mid-season in 2009 and became one of the most effective closers in franchise history. He was named American Association Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2010, when he notched a league-best 25 saves and struck out more than one batter for every inning pitched. He converted his final 15 save opportunities and had 12 consecutive appearances mid-season in 2010 without allowing a run. All that helped the Pheasants to a trip to the league championship series. In 2011, the Canadian surpassed former teammate Kris Regas to become the all-time saves leader in Sioux Falls (47). Cotter went 7-3 in his Sioux Falls career with 97 strikeouts. His 96 relief appearances are second all-time.
Ben Fleetham (2000 - 2002) - Across three seasons with Sioux Falls, Fleetham allowed just nine earned runs in 49 appearances. In 48 1/3 innings, Fleetham was 3-2 with a stingy 1.68 ERA. He struck out 56 batters against just 15 walks. He has 24 career saves, including 14 in the 2000 season.
George Sherrill (2001) - Sherrill is one of the Sioux Falls success stories about which every player dreams. His pro career began in independent baseball, and Sherrill came to Sioux Falls in 2001. He set a club record with 48 games pitched with a sparkling 2.45 ERA, a key part of the franchise's first division championship. After two more seasons in the Northern League, Sherrill finally caught the eye of big league scouts. The Seattle Mariners signed him to a minor league contract in 2003 and made his major-league debut with them in 2004. Sherrill has been in the big leagues since, also pitching for Baltimore, the L.A. Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. In 2008, Sherrill represented Baltimore as an American League All-Star.
Kris Regas (2007-2009) - Regas is second all-time in team history with 46 saves. The first 15 came in 2007, before Regas re-wrote the record books in 2008. An integral part of the championship team, he put together one of the most successful seasons of any closer in independent baseball history. The American Association Relief Pitcher of the Year converted 30 of 31 save opportunities to set single-season league and team records. He went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA while striking out an astonishing 72 batters in just 42 innings. At one point, the lefty reliever pitched 20-plus consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. Regas has a career team mark of 5-2 with a 1.33 ERA. He is third in team history with 95 relief appearances. He has 149 strikeouts in 108 innings pitched.
Andy Wise (1994-1996) - Wise posted a 15-4 record in 62 appearances, all but three of which were in relief. He finished 27 of those games and collected five saves. The right-hander went 7-1 in 1994, his debut season, with a 3.02 ERA. He followed that with an 8-2 mark and 3.75 ERA. In 141 1/3 innings, Wise has 89 strikeouts against just 29 walks.
The results will be announced on Thursday, May 24, when the Pheasants host the St. Paul Saints.
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.
More nominees and voting will occur throughout the season.
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.
American Association Stories from May 18, 2012
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- Fish Add Pitcher to the Bullpen - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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- Fans Can Vote for Best Relievers - Sioux Falls Canaries
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