River Cats Named Minor League Team of the Year
Published on November 10, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Baseball America today named the Sacramento River Cats its 2003 Minor League Team of the Year. This marks the first time Sacramento has won this prestigious award. In a separate announcement, first baseman Graham Koonce was named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Year by the Topps Co. In September, the River Cats were crowned the Pacific Coast League Champions after rolling through the postseason with a 6-0 record against the Edmonton Trappers (PCL Pacific Conference Championship Series) and Nashville Sounds (PCL Championship Series). Sacramento went 92-52 during the regular season en route to winning its third PCL South Division title in four years. Its 92 victories established a franchise record and led all of Triple-A. "This is an outstanding honor to be named the Baseball America Minor League Team of the Year," River Cats Senior Vice President & General Manager Gary Arthur said. "The personal accolades that members of our team received over the course of the season were nice, but this is a team award. It truly was a team effort this season, and this award recognizes what a special group of guys we had." Koonce, 28, batted .277 (133-for-480) with 34 HR and 115 RBI in 138 games with Sacramento this season. He led all of Minor League Baseball in home runs (34) and led the PCL with 115 RBI. Koonce finished among the league's leaders in on-base percentage (.403), slugging percentage (.542) and extra-base hits (58). For his efforts, he was named the PCL's Most Valuable Player and was named to the 2003 All-PCL Team. Following the season, Koonce made his major league debut with the Oakland A's then participated in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament as a member of Team USA with River Cats teammates Mike Rouse (SS) and Justin Duchscherer (RHP). Originally selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 60th round of the June 1993 Draft, Koonce was acquired by the Oakland A's from the San Diego Padres in the 2001 Rule 5 (Minor League) Draft. The River Cats will defend their PCL Championship beginning in April 2004. Season and group tickets are available by calling (916)371-HITS.
Pacific Coast League Stories from November 10, 2003
- Beavers Announce 2004 Field Staff - Portland Beavers
- River Cats Named Minor League Team of the Year - Sacramento River Cats
- Isotopes name Woodson new manager; Coaching staff is set - Albuquerque Isotopes
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