Koonce Named River Cats' 2003 MVP

August 28, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release

WEST SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento River Cats announced tonight that first baseman Graham Koonce is their "Most Valuable Player" for the 2003 season. The team announced its MVP and seven other "Player Awards" prior to tonight's game at Raley Field.

Koonce, 28, is batting .276 (129-for-468) with 31 HR and 109 RBI in 134 games. He established new club records for home runs (31), runs batted in (109) and bases on balls (95) in a season. Koonce is tied for the PCL and Minor League Baseball lead with 31 HR, leads the league with 109 RBI and is among the PCL's top five with a .402 on-base percentage and .528 slugging percentage. Earlier today, he was named the Pacific Coast League's "Most Valuable Player."

Koonce was originally selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 60th round of the June 1993 Draft. The Oakland A's acquired him from the San Diego Padres in the 2001 Rule 5 (Minor League) Draft. In 1,065 career minor league games, Koonce is batting ..276 (1,005-for-3,639) with 130 HR and 610 RBI. Koonce follows Jose Ortiz (2000), Andy Abad (2001) and Luis Lopez (2002) as the River Cats' fourth MVP Award winner.

The River Cats also presented awards for the team's Best Pitcher, Best Offensive Player, Best Defensive Player, Most Exciting Player, Most Improved Player, Most Versatile Player and Most Inspirational Player. Seven of the awards were selected by a panel consisting of River Cats coaches and media. The Most Inspirational Player was selected by River Cats players.

The following is the complete list of 2003 Player Awards, presented tonight by River Cats Chief Executive Officer Art Savage and River Cats Senior VP & General Manager Gary Arthur:

Award 2003 Winner 2002 Winner 2001 Winner 2000 Winner

Most Valuable Player Graham Koonce Luis Lopez Andy Abad Jose Ortiz

Best Pitcher Justin Duchscherer Larry Luebbers Erik Hiljus Jon Ratliff

Best Offensive Player Graham Koonce Larry Sutton Andy Abad Jose Ortiz

Best Defensive Player Chris Prieto Jose Flores Mark Ellis Jorge Velandia

Most Exciting Player Bobby Crosby Jose Flores Eric Byrnes Jose Ortiz

Most Improved Player Mike Edwards Cody McKay Eric Hinske Mark Bellhorn

Most Versatile Player Jose Flores Jose Flores Mark Bellhorn Mark Bellhorn

Most Inspirational Player Mike Lockwood Carlos Mendez Mark Ellis Eric Martins

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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