IL1 Toledo Mud Hens

Hessman Named IL MVP

August 28, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Toledo Mud Hens News Release


The International League today announced its post-season All-Star Team and Award Winners as selected by the circuit's managers, coaches, media, and club representatives. Toledo Mud Hens third baseman Mike Hessman has been named the IL's Most Valuable Player on the strength of his League-leading 31 home runs and 97 RBI. Teammate Timo Perez has also been named a post-season All-Star, as an outfielder.

The 29-year-old Hessman was a major contributor on Toledo's Governors' Cup Champion teams of 2005 and 2006, but his effort this season may be the best of his 12-year professional career. Hessman has already achieved personal highs in home runs and RBI, and his batting average is nearly 90 points better than a year ago. His 16th homer this year, hit back on June 1 at Buffalo made him the all time home run king in Toledo baseball history, now with 83 home runs as a Mud Hen.

2007 is Hessman's third season with the Hens, and his sixth in the International League. He played for the Richmond Braves from 2002 to 2004. Hessman was a member of the Atlanta organization for the first nine years of his career before signing with Detroit as a free agent following the 2004 season. Hessman has played 57 games in the Major Leagues, including nine with the Tigers earlier this year. In addition, the slugger was selected to the International League mid-season All-Star team for the Triple-A All-Star game hosted by the Pacific Coast League's Albuquerque Isotopes. Hessman was 1-2 in the game with a home run and 2 RBI, helping pace the IL to a 7-5 victory.

Previous Toledo Mud Hen IL MVPs (modern era):

1996 - Phil Hiatt

1983 - Tim Teufel

1976 - Joe Lis

Perez has been one of the IL's top offensive threats all season, and the 32-year-old has been rewarded with a spot on the postseason All-Star Team. Perez is among the League leaders with a .309 batting average (6th), 151 hits (T-1st), 39 doubles (2nd), and 76 runs scored (1st). He stole the show at the Triple-A All-Star Game in Albuquerque, going 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI and was named the IL's "Top Star". Perez, a native of Bani, Dominican Republic, has played in 577 Major League games, plus 333 in the Minor Leagues and 359 in Japan.

2007 IL AWARD WINNERS Most Valuable Player - Mike Hessman, Toledo Mud Hens

Most Valuable Pitcher - Kevin Slowey, Rochester Red Wings

Rookie-of-the-Year - Joey Votto, Louisville Bats

Manager-of-the-Year - Dave Miley, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

2007 IL ALL-STAR TEAM First Baseman - Joey Votto, Louisville Bats

Second Baseman- Martin Prado, Richmond Braves

Shortstop - Brian Bixler, Indianapolis Indians

Third Baseman - Mike Hessman, Toledo Mud Hens

Catcher - Jose Morales, Rochester Red Wings

Outfielders - Ben Francisco, Buffalo Bisons

- Timo Perez, Toledo Mud Hens

- Justin Ruggiano, Durham Bulls

Designated Hitter- Shelley Duncan, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

Utility Player - Aaron Herr, Louisville Bats

Starting Pitcher - Kevin Slowey, Rochester Red Wings

Relief Pitcher - Cory Doyne, Norfolk Tides

Check out the Toledo Mud Hens Statistics



International League Stories from August 28, 2007


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