Graham Koonce Named PCL MVP
August 28, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) News Release
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- Sacramento River Cats first baseman/designated hitter Graham Koonce is the Pacific Coast League's Most Valuable Player for 2003, according to the League's managers and media representatives who vote annually on the award. Koonce has guided his team into the playoffs by serving as its primary run producer, leading the PCL in home runs and runs batted in.
Thanks to a torrid August during which he's hit .303, blasted nine home runs, and driven in 32, the former UCLA Bruin has extended his lead atop the League's RBI list with 109, and climbed into a tie for first in homers with Albuquerque's Robert Stratton at 31 on the year. The native of Julian, California also ranks among the PCL's top five in on-base percentage (.402), and slugging percentage (.528), while appearing in all but five of the River Cats's games this season.
"Graham has been our most consistent power hitter from day one," said Sacramento manager Tony DeFrancesco. "His personality, work-ethic, and ability have enabled him to be that player that can carry a club throughout the season."
After being selected by Detroit in 1993, Koonce spent 1997 and 1998 in the independent Western League before being signed by San Diego before the 1999 season. The Oakland Athletics then signed Koonce from the Padres in the December, 2001 Rule 5 Minor League Draft and sent the slugger to Double-A Midland where he was a 2002 Texas League All-Star.
Koonce now joins the pantheon of illustrious Pacific Coast League players to win the League's Most Valuable Player accolade, including Joe DiMaggio, three-time winner Steve Bilko, Bobby Valentine, Tom Paciorek, Kevin McReynolds, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Tim Salmon, and Paul Konerko. He is also the third consecutive Sacramento player to win one of the PCL's prestigious post-season awards in 2003, joining Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby, and Pitcher of the Year Justin Duchscherer.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 28, 2003
- Memphis Redbirds Unveil 2004 Home Schedule - Memphis Redbirds
- Missions finally get to Qualls, Express - Round Rock Express
- Williams Puts Up More Zeros In 5-0 Victory - Nashville Sounds
- Koonce Named River Cats' 2003 MVP - Sacramento River Cats
- DeFrancesco Named PCL's Manager of the Year - Sacramento River Cats
- Final 2003 Rainiers Homestand, Fireworks and Food Drive - Tacoma Rainiers
- Koonce Named PCL's Most Valuable Player - Sacramento River Cats
- Express closing in on attendance record - again - Round Rock Express
- Sox Bats Come Alive in 12-11 Win in Iowa - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Expos purchase LHP Vic Darensbourg, option LHP Eric Knott to Edmonton - Edmonton Trappers
- Graham Koonce Named PCL MVP - PCL1
- RedHawks bidding for .500 or better finish - Oklahoma City Comets
- RedHawks close 2003 season with more giveaways - Oklahoma City Comets
- Gettis does in Express - Round Rock Express
- Never Say Die Trappers Win Fourth Straight - Edmonton Trappers
- Time Running Out on Beavers - Portland Beavers
- River Cats match club record with 90th win - Sacramento River Cats
- No-Hit Bid Ends with Three Sacramento Homers - Tucson Sidewinders
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