SL Announces Major On-Field Awards
August 29, 2003 - Southern League (SL1) News Release
Marietta, GA â The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs is proud to announce the winners of the major on-field awards for the 2003 Southern League season as voted upon by the League's field mangers, radio broadcasters and print media. The winners are as follows:
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Corey Hart â Huntsville Stars
Huntsville Stars' third baseman Corey Hart was named the 2003 Southern League Most Valuable Player for his outstanding season. With four games remaining in the season, Hart has been the dominate force on an outstanding Stars' team that won the Western Division first half title and had been in the hunt for the second half title. Hart currently leads the Southern League in RBI (90) hits (144), and doubles (36). The big third baseman ranks third in the league in extra-base hits (50) and fifth in batting (.303). The 21-year-old was named as a Western Division starter in the 2003 Southern League All-Star Game. Hart was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week July 25-31. Ranked by Baseball America as the fifth best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization, he was selected in the 11th round of the June 2000 out of Greenwood H.S. in Bowling Green, KY.
MOST OUTSTANDING PITCHER
Joel Hanrahan â Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns' righthander Joel Hanrahan was named the 2003 Southern League Most Outstanding Pitcher for his standout season. The honor comes almost three weeks after the Los Angeles Dodgers promoted the starting pitcher to AAA Las Vegas. Hanrahan currently ranks second in the Southern League in ERA (2.43), ranks third in wins (10), and ranks fifth in strikeouts (130). Prior to his promotion, the 21-year-old pitched 133.1 innings, surrendering only 36 earned runs on 117 hits. Hanrahan was masterful on the road in 2003 going 7-2 in visiting ballparks. Hanrahan is ranked by Baseball America as the eighth best prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization. The Dodgers selected the Iowa resident in the second round of the June 2000 draft out of Norwalk Community H.S.
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Frank Kremblas â Huntsville Stars
Frank Kremblas was named the 2003 Southern League Manager of the Year after guiding the Huntsville Stars to the Western Division first half championship. Kremblas has done a tremendous job all season long handling a club that is filled with future Milwaukee Brewers. This is Kremblas' second season at the helm of the Stars and his fourth season in Milwaukee's organization. Prior to the Brewers, Kremblas was with the Montreal Expos' system from 1997 to 1999. Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1989 after an outstanding collegiate career at Eastern Kentucky University, Kremblas toiled in the minor leagues for eight years topping out at AAA Louisville in 1996. He resides in Phoenix, AZ.
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Southern League Stories from August 29, 2003
- Stars Lose Fifth Straight, 3-0 - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears fall in final series opener - Mobile BayBears
- Suns eliminated from playoffs with loss - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Rays, Mudcats Split Doubleheader - Orlando Rays
- Stocks Leads Smokies To Victory - Knoxville Smokies
- Scott Bikowski Named Southern League Hitter of the Week - Birmingham Barons
- Fan Appreciation Fireworks Friday - Chattanooga Lookouts
- SL Announces Major On-Field Awards - SL1
- Rays Win to Set Up Series Showdown with Mudcats - Orlando Rays
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