Liddi and Horner Honored by League

Published on September 2, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
High Desert Mavericks News Release


For the first time since 1998, both the California League's top player and manager reside in the High Desert. On Tuesday, Mavs third baseman Alex Liddi was named California League MVP and manager Jim Horner took the league's Manager of the Year award.

The last Maverick named league MVP was current San Francisco Giants pitcher Brad Penny. Don Wakamatsu-coincidentally now the manager of the Mavericks parent club, the Seattle Mariners-was the last manager to be named tops in the league.

Liddi, a native of Italy, has had a breakout season. The 21-year-old currently leads the league with a .351 average. He has hit 23 home runs, and his 101 RBI's ranks third in the league. He is also amongst the top five in hits, doubles, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, extra-base hits, and runs scored.

Being named MVP is the cap on a very eventful 2009 for Liddi. Earlier this year he played for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. In June he was one of four Mavericks on the California League All-Star Team, and in July he participated in the XM All-Star Futures Game in St. Louis.

Manager Jim Horner has had the most successful season of his young career. With a 6-2 win over Lancaster Tuesday night, Horner's 2009 squad is just the fourth in Mavericks history to reach 80 wins in a season. He guided the Mavs to a first half title earlier this year, the team's first since 1993. Coming into Wednesday night, the Mavericks magic number to clinch a second half title is down to just two as they look to win both halves for the second time in team history.

Horner is the only manager in Mavericks history to be at the helm for more than one season. It has paid dividends in 2009, making a huge jump from just 58 wins last year.

However, Liddi and Horner were not the only Mavericks honored by the California League yesterday. First baseman Joe Dunigan and pitcher Donnie Hume were both named to the post-season All-Star Team as well.

Dunigan's 28 homers are second in the league, and his 97 RBI's currently rank fifth. Like Liddi, he was also named to the Mid-Season All-Star Team.

Hume is the only pitcher in all of the Minors with 17 wins. He is fourth in the league in innings pitched, and he leads the Mavericks with 115 strikeouts. The lefty has shattered the team record for most wins in a season and has collected the most wins by a California League pitcher this decade.

Make sure to make your way to Mavericks Stadium to cheer on Liddi, Horner, and the rest of the Mavs as they play the final six regular season games at home. The California League Playoffs start September 12, and to reserve your tickets, call 246-MAVS or order online at www.hdmavs.com.

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California League Stories from September 2, 2009


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