Gordon Beckham named AL Rookie of the Month
August 5, 2009 - Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release
HOOVER, AL - Former Barons shortstop, Gordon Beckham was voted the July recipient of the Gillette American League Rookie of the Month Award.
In 27 July games, the former University of Georgia product led all A.L. rookies with a .330 batting average (32-for-97), 32 hits, three home runs, 18 RBI, 10 doubles, and a .526 slugging percentage. Beckham also tied for the lead with 12 runs scored and added nine walks, three stolen bases and a .382 on-base percentage.
The Atlanta native compiled 11 multi-hit games, including four consecutive multi-hit performances from July 11-18 and again from July 27-30. In addition, he collected at least one RBI in 17 of his 27 games played during the month.
Beckham finished the month with a bang, compiling a career-long seven-game hitting streak from July 24th-30th, and batted .458 (11-24) with two home runs, two doubles, six RBI and three runs scored during that span.
Beckham, who has played in 52 games since his promotion to the Majors on June 4th, already leads all A.L. rookies in batting average (.311), RBI (36), slugging percentage (.486) and on-base percentage (.374), is tied for first with 17 doubles, and ranks second with 18 multi-hit games and 22 extra-base hits.
Quickly emerging as a favorite to win the A.L. Rookie of the Year award at season's end, Beckham started the season with the Birmingham Barons. The 2008 first-round pick hit .299 with four home runs, 22 RBI, 17 doubles and a .497 slugging percentage in 38 games for the White Sox Double A affiliate. He was promoted to Triple A Charlotte on May 27, immediately following the Rickwood Classic.
The Barons were 31-15 and well on their way to winning the First-Half South Division Championship when Beckham earned his promotion. The Barons finished the first half with a 48- 21 mark, the second best first-half record in team history (the 1989 squad finished the first half with a 53-18 record).
Southern League Stories from August 5, 2009
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- Mudcats Fall in Series Finale - Carolina Mudcats
- Bastardo Brilliant in 7-2 Win - Chattanooga Lookouts
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