SL1 Southern League

Southern Bases

May 13, 2003 - Southern League (SL1) News Release


Rickwood Classic

By: Jason Testa

During a time in which more innovative, family-oriented ballparks are being built at a rapid pace, the nearly 93-year-old Rickwood Field brings a sense of the baseball's past into the present. The spirit of baseball in the south begins and ends at Rickwood Field, as it is the final preserver of southern baseball history. If just for one day a year, the Rickwood Classic rejuvenates baseball's most storied past.

When A.H. (Rick) Woodward purchased the Birmingham ball club in the early 1900's, he had a vision to create "The Finest Minor League Ballpark Ever." With the help of the legendary Connie Mack in designing the facility, Woodward built the first concrete and steel ballpark in minor league history. Highly respected by the community for his efforts, a newspaper contest chose to name the field after its founder. The total cost of the new facility was $50,000 over budget at $75,000 or a shade over the price of some cars now driven by professional athletes. Mirrored after Philadelphia's Shibe Park and Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, the 7,000-seat facility opened on August 18, 1910.

On August 18, 1910 the legend of Rickwood Field was born with Rick Woodward as the starting pitcher in front of 10,000 fans against the Montgomery Climbers. His outing was just one pitch, a ball. Harry Coveleski came on to relieve him and hold Montgomery in check until Birmingham scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to win Rickwood Field's inaugural game 3-2.

From 1920 until 1963, Rickwood Field was also home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. Quite often it was the Black Barons who drew more fans to the game than the Barons themselves. No matter who was stepping on the field, each game was leaving a legendary footprint.

Hall-of-famers Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner ("The Flying Dutchman"), Christy Mathewson, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Rogers Hornsby, Stan "The Man" Musial and even the great Babe Ruth made their stops at Rickwood. Although their stops were brief, they are what the Rickwood legends are made of. The Barons lay claim to Burleigh Grimes, the last legal spitball pitcher in the Major Leagues and Hall of Famer, Pie Traynor, who is still considered by many as the best third baseman ever, while the Black Barons hosted the all-time Negro American League home run record holder, George "Mule" Suttles, as well as future major league stars Satchel Paige, Willie Wells, and Josh Gibson.

Two of the most memorable times in Rickwood Field's long history came in 1931 and 1948. In 1931, the Southern Association Champion Barons hosted the Houston Buffaloes and a brash, young pitcher named Dizzy Dean in the opening game of the "Dixie Series." In a memorable pitcher's duel, Dean lost to 43-year-old pitcher, Ray Caldwell, due to a double in the bottom of the eighth inning to Billy Bancroft. Caldwell would strike out five to Dizzy Dean's zero as the Barons won 1-0 in front of Rickwood Field's all-time record crowd of 20,074. In 1948, the legendary facility hosted two champions. On the way to glory, a single-season record of 445,926 fans jammed Rickwood's turnstiles during the summer to see the soon to be crowned Negro American League Champions as well as the 1948 winners of the "Dixie Series." Not only were the fans treated to championships, but they were also given the opportunity to see a 17-year-old legend in the making named Willie Mays, who was the Black Barons' starting centerfielder.

The purchase of the Birmingham Barons by Dave Elmore and the Elmore Sports Group in 1995 was just the beginning of Rickwood Field's glory restoration. The Barons spent seventy-seven years calling Rickwood home before moving into Hoover Metropolitan Stadium after the 1987 season. The new ownership abruptly realized an opportunity to relive some of Birmingham's fondest memories by turning back the clock and creating an environment exclusive to the respective decade that the Rickwood Classic is celebrating.

This year, the 8th annual Rickwood Classic will pay homage to the 1980's against the Huntsville Stars. On Wednesday, June 11 at 12:30 p.m., both teams and fans will don their 1980's gear. The 1980's were huge for Birmingham as the team returned to Rickwood Field from Montgomery in 1981 and won two league championships in 1983 and 1987. In 1983, the Birmingham Barons set an all-time Southern League home record of 57-16. They will be commemorating their 20th anniversary of their 1983 championship by wearing their 1983 uniforms. With last season's 14-4 victory over Chattanooga, the Barons improved to 4-3 in the Rickwood Classic and will be looking to stay above .500 on their old stomping grounds.

The Huntsville Stars made their debut to professional baseball in a 15-12 loss on April 12, 1985 against whom else but the Birmingham Barons at Rickwood Field. The Stars will be sporting their inaugural uniforms on June 11th.

The festivities will include more than just the game. There will be a special presentation for former Barons' owner Art Clarkson and several players will be invited back. The players include former MVP candidate Howard Johnson, the 1993 American League Cy Young Award winner, Jack McDowell, and the all-time Major League single-season saves leader, Bobby Thigpen (57 saves in 1990). Music and entertainment will also be provided and fans are encouraged to put on the best of their 1980's wardrobe. Those who watch could see the next legend of Rickwood Field be born.

Southern League Personalities

Brian West, Birmingham Barons Pitcher

Brian West has been considered a prospect for the Chicago White Sox since 2000, a year after Chicago selected him in the first round (35th) overall in the June 1999 draft. Currently ranked as the 15th best prospect in the White Sox organization, West was once targeted by major college football programs as a defensive end. Featuring a two-seam fastball in the low 90's, the Sox see plenty of upside in West despite not having a winning season at the minor league level. The 2003 season is his second in Birmingham after appearing in 27 games with the Barons last season. He currently is 2-2 with a 5.97 ERA, striking out 20 and walking 13 in 31.2 innings.

How does it feel playing as the defending Southern League Champions this year? Each year is extremely exciting, knowing you have a fresh new season to start, and a new end. This year we have the target on our back so you have to stay focused.

What do you expect from the Birmingham Barons in 2003? We will play the game hard and bring excitement to the park everyday.

What does someone like Wally Backman, with all of his major league experience, bring to a team? Wally and our staff bring years of baseball knowledge that you can learn from to help our team win.

Do you feel any added pressure being a former first round pick and being in an organization that has produced a number of young big league pitchers the past few years? I don't feel that any player has pressure on him from others. You just have the pressure you put on yourself. As for the guys in Chicago now, you cannot look too far ahead, and only control what you can control.

The Southern League is known as a tough travel league, how has the travel affected you? The travel is tough on a player and his routine. It is tough to stay focused when you pull into a stadium after a 10-hour bus trip, but every player has to play under those circumstances.

You were a pretty big college football prospect coming out of high school, do you ever think about what it would have been like playing NCAA football? If so, where would you have liked to play? I would be lying if I said I never thought about it, but I made my decision to play baseball and that is where I am at. I would have gone to Texas A&M of course.

Outside of last year's championship, what has been your best professional baseball memory thus far? I got an at-bat in Spring Training, and hit a double against the Cubs in Mesa.

Josh Stewart has made the jump to the White Sox, have you spoken to him at all? What kind of advice can he offer? Josh and I speak often, and he has the same things to say that I did, "Control what you can and let the cards fall where they may."

Southern League News and Notes

The Tennessee Smokies four-game sweep of the Orlando Rays April 26-29 was a winner at the gate as well as on the field. Tennessee set a new personal four-game series attendance record, with 19,681 fans through the turnstiles.

Former Orlando Ray and 2002 Baseball America Player-of-the-Year Rocco Baldelli set a Major League Baseball record for hits by a rookie through the end of April. Baldelli, who spent time on the Rays' roster last year during his meteoric rise to the big leagues, had 40 hits in April surpassing Seattle All-Star Ichiro Suzuki's mark of 39.

Tennessee Smokies' relief pitcher Mike Lyons was the Southern League winner of the Rolaids Relief Man competition for April. He compiled 31 points with 11 saves and a 0-1 record.

Former Atlanta Braves' closer John Rocker trying to make a comeback to the major leagues was assigned to the Orlando Rays on May 2 after signing a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on April 10. The infamous reliever made four appearances for the O-Rays pitching four innings. He gave up no runs on four hits and struck out two before being promoted to Tampa Bay on May 9.

The Huntsville Stars gave fans a chance to celebrate the military victory in Iraq while remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Before the May 2 game against the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Stars held an on-field ceremony paying tribute to the 10 Alabamians where were killed during the war in Iraq.

The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx were not left unscathed by the tornado that swept through the Midwest and South last week. The tragic twister ripped through Jackson, TN killing 11 people and doing extensive damage throughout the city and surrounding areas. Pringles Park received damage to their new scoreboard, outfield signage and lights. They also were without power for a few days, forcing the team officials to bring in refrigerated trucks to store the ballpark food.

The Birmingham Barons teamed up with the American Red Cross to sponsor a blood drive on Saturday, May 10. As part of the drive several Barons' players were in attendance signing autographs and meeting with fans along with Barons' mascot Babe Ruff who was on hand for pictures and autographs. Fans donating blood registered to win autographed memorabilia for the Barons and Chicago White Sox as well as Birmingham tickets for the 2003 season.

Carolina Mudcats' lefthander Dontrelle Willis was called up to the big leagues on May 9 where he made his major league debut against the Colorado Rockies. Willis received a no-decision in a 5-4 Florida Marlins' win. Willis, who was 4-0 with a 1.49 ERA with the Mudcats, worked six full innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking two and fanning seven.

The Mobile BayBears hosted a welcome home celebration prior to their May 9th game for Company B of the 20th Special Forces who were returning home from fighting overseas. Company B was entrenched in Afghanistan during Iraqi Freedom fighting

The Greenville Braves once again teamed up with the Huntington Learning Center to honor students from the Upstate and surrounding areas for excellence in the classroom. For the 17th consecutive season, thousands of hard-working students in K-12 making good grades and achieving the A/B Honor Roll will receive complimentary tickets to designated Honor Roll nights at G-Braves Stadium.

The Jacksonville Suns were forced to cancel their Saturday night game against the Orlando Rays after their bus broke down returning from Birmingham. The Suns were traveling back to Jacksonville when their bus broke down 35 miles east of Birmingham forcing team to wait 12 hours until a substitute bus arrived.

Clubhouse Chatter

BIRMINGHAM BARONS

RHP ENEMENCIO PACHECO allowed two hits over six scoreless innings to beat Jacksonville, 4-0, April 28. Pacheco, who struck out five without issuing a walk, extended his streak without allowing an earned run to 22 innings, dropping his ERA to 0.36...LHP NEAL COTTS fanned 11 batters over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision at Jacksonville on April 26. Cotts allowed a run and four hits and had allowed just three runs in his first five starts with 41 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings...LHP ROYCE RING picked up five saves and pitched 8 1/3 innings of scoreless relief with 11 strikeouts in eight games from April 11-29.

C CARLOS MALDONADO delivered the game-winning hit with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Barons edged Jacksonville, 4-3, May 6...LHP CORWIN MALONE (2-2, 7.16 ERA) was placed on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. He allowed eight runs and nine hits over 1 2/3 innings in his last start against Orlando on May 1. Malone had allowed 23 hits and 18 runs in his last 12 2/3 innings...LHP ROYCE RING did not allow a run in 10 straight outings from April 11-May 7. He picked up five saves in 11 1/3 innings with 14 strikeouts during that span.

CAROLINA MUDCATS

LHP DONTRELLE WILLIS allowed a run and five hits, struck out six and walked one in 6 1/3 innings in a 5-1 win over West Tenn on April 28. The 21-year-old has yielded one run or less in each of his five starts and had an ERA of 1.27 through the end of April. Willis also collected 28 strikeouts, issued just six walks and limited opponents to a .212 batting average over 28 1/3 frames. Since June 3 of last season, the Florida Marlins farmhand is 11-0 with a 1.71 ERA over 19 starts. In 120 2/3 innings over that span, Willis has struck out 104 batters and walked just 17...OF MATT PADGETT homered April 26 & 27 against West Tenn...OF CHRIS AGUILA hit safely in 12 straight games (23-58, 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 1 SB) April 17-29, raising his average from .233 to .327...2B WILSON VALDEZ hit safely in 14 straight games (24-63,1 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 7 SB) April 12-27, raising his average from .217 to .337.

LHP CHRIS KEY was promoted from Jupiter (3-0, 1.41 ERA) and pitched two scoreless innings in his first outing...3B MIGUEL CABRERA hit safely in 14 straight games (27-53, 9 2B, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 3 SB) April 22-May 7, raising his average from .352 to .419. He was leading the league in batting (.419), hits (52) and runs (25)...LHP DONTRELLE WILLIS went 4-0 with a 1.49 ERA in his last six starts before being promoted to the Marlins...LHP SEAN FESH (6-0, 0.00 ERA) was promoted to Albuquerque. Fesh was leading the league in wins and had not allowed a run in 22 innings...LHP RYAN SNARE pitched seven scoreless innings (5 H, 1 BB, 7 SO) in a 4-0 win at Jacksonville May 4.

CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS

RHP DUSTIN MOSELEY scattered three hits and carried a shutout into the eighth inning before allowing a run in a 12-1 win against Mobile on April 27. Moseley, a 2000 supplemental first-round pick, improved to 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in five starts. C CREIGHTON GUBANICH hit a pair of home runs in the contest...RHP BOBBY BASHAM lost three straight starts from April 18-28. He allowed 18 hits and four walks and six of the 11 runs allowed were unearned.

RHP BOBBY BASHAM allowed a run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings in an 8-5 win at Huntsville on May 4. It was his first win in five starts this season despite a 2.43 ERA...OF GUYE SENJEM homered May 4 & 6 against Huntsville. Senjem was 16-for-46 with four homers and a team-best 18 RBI in just 46 at-bats. He is 8-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

GREENVILLE BRAVES

OF BILL MCCARTHY drove in two runs with a double in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Braves past Carolina, 8-7, on April 25...OF CORY ALDRIDGE hit a two-run homer in the 10th to lead the Braves to their sixth straight win, a 4-2 victory over Huntsville on April 28. Aldridge, who was a fourth-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 1997, finished with a season-high four hits, including a homer over the right field fence to snap a 2-2 tie...RHP JOE WINKELSAS did not allow a run in 10 games from April 3-28 (13.1 IP, 5 H, 4 BB, 9 SO).

RHP ADAM WAINWRIGHT struck out a season-high 10 batters in seven innings to lead the Braves past the Mobile BayBears, 5-1, on May 3. Wainwright, who was the 29th overall pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 draft, allowed a run and a hit en route to his second win in the Class AA Southern League. In 2001, Wainwright fanned 184 batters to lead the South Atlantic League and then followed with 167 strikeouts in the high level Class A Carolina League in 2002...RHP JOE WINKELSAS did not allow a run in his first 12 games (15.1 IP, 9 H, 4 BB, 9 SO), picking up a win and two saves...1B ADAM LAROCHE hit a pair of home runs on May 6 in an 8-2 win at Tennessee.

HUNTSVILLE STARS

LHP LUIS MARTINEZ surrendered his first earned run of the year on a two-out double in the first inning but defeated Greenville, 4-3, on April 26. Martinez allowed two runs -- one earned -- and six hits over six innings. He's allowed one earned run and 13 hits with 38 strikeouts in 29 innings this season...OF DAVE KRYNZEL hit safely in 11 straight games (17-45, 1 2B, 2 3B, 5 RBI, 7 SB) April 15-27, raising his average from .161 to .289. Krynzel, the 11th player selected in the 2000 draft, hit .240 in 31 games for the Stars last season...OF RYAN KNOX hit safely in 14 straight games (17-59) April 12-26, raising his average from .240 to .274. His nine steals led the league through April 30.

RHP MIKE JONES hurled seven scoreless innings and combined with two relievers on a three-hitter as the Stars blanked the Chattanooga Lookouts, 1-0, on May 2. Jones, who was selected 12th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2001 draft, struck out a season-high eight batters, issued one walk and scattered two hits en route to his third straight win. The 20-year-old California native sat down eight straight batters to start the game, yielded a single, and then retired the next seven batters in order...3B COREY HART hit two homers and drove in a career-high seven runs to lead the Stars to a 10-3 victory over the Lookouts May 6. Hart, who had not recorded a hit in his previous eight at-bats, singled in two runs in the third frame to give Huntsville a 3-1 lead. After flying out to center field in his next at-bat, the 11th-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2000 crushed a grand slam to cap a five-run seventh and added a solo homer in his final at-bat to close out the scoring for the Stars.

JACKSONVILLE SUNS

RHP JOEL HANRAHAN picked up back-to-back wins against Chattanooga on April 24 and Birmingham on April 29 by allowing two runs in 13 innings with 16 strikeouts to improve to 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA in six starts...RHP EDWIN JACKSON shut down Birmingham on four hits over seven innings in a 2-0 win on April 27 to improve to 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA in five starts...RHP HEATH TOTTEN allowed an unearned run and six hits over eight innings in a 7-1 win against Birmingham on April 26. The Suns snapped a 1-1 tie with six unearned runs in the eighth, including three on a homer by OF TARRIK BROCK.

RHP SCOTT PROCTOR allowed no earned runs in nine consecutive games April 13-May 6 (14 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 13 SO)...OF TARRIK BROCK struck out in 14 consecutive games from April 19-May 7, going 9-for-45 with 20 strikeouts, and 2B VICTOR DIAZ fanned in 12 straight from April 23-May 7, fanning 16 times in 46 at-bats.

MOBILE BAYBEARS

OF TODD DONOVAN homered twice and OF VINCE FAISON had four hits in a 9-3 victory at Chattanooga on April 28...LHP RUSTY TUCKER notched saves in six straight games from April 13-26...LHP ROGER DEAGO, making his professional debut this season, was 3-0, 2.60 ERA in his first five starts. The rest of the rotation was 4-8 in 20 starts.

3B RICO WASHINGTON hit home runs in three consecutive games May 4-7 against West Tenn and Mobile. He went 5-for-12 with seven RBI in those games. He didn't commit an error in 21 consecutive games April 6-May 7...RHP BRAD BAKER, a former first-round pick of the Red Sox, went 0-3 with a 6.93 ERA in his first games from April 4-May 7 (24.2 IP, 24 H, 19 R, 19 ER, 22 BB, 31 SO)...2B JAKE GAUTREAU did not commit an error in 20 consecutive games April 3-May 7...SS KHALIL GREENE snapped a 6-for-47 slump by going 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI on May 2 against Greenville.

ORLANDO RAYS

OF JOSH HAMILTON, on the inactive list all season dealing with personal issues, was activated...OF DAN GRUMMITT belted two solo homers in a 7-2 loss at Tennessee on April 28...The Rays had lost 12 straight games through April 30 after a 7-7 start. They scored 33 runs in the 12 games...RHP TRAVIS MINIX did not allow a run in seven games April 13-29 (12 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 8 SO).

LHP JOHN ROCKER pitched three scoreless innings with one strikeout in his first three appearances...OF AMADO GERMAN hit safely in 12 straight games (16-42, 6 2B, 1 3B, 6 RBI) April 22-May 7, raising his average from .244 to .310...LHP JON SWITZER allowed two runs and two hits over seven innings in a 6-2 win against Carolina on May 7...RHP BRIAN STOKES pitched six scoreless innings (3 H, 0 BB, 3 SO) in a 6-1 win against Birmingham on May 2 to win his first game in six starts despite a 1.72 ERA. RHP DOUG WAECHTER spun six scoreless innings (3 H, 3 BB, 1 SO) in a 2-1 win against Birmingham May 3 to improve to 2-2, 2.57 ERA in six starts...OF MATT DIAZ hit .368 (25-68, 7 2B, 7 RBI, 3 SB) in 19 games April 16-May 6.

TENNESSEE SMOKIES

OF KEVAN BURNS slugged a fourth-inning grand slam in a 7-4 win against Orlando on April 29. LHP RICK ANKIEL allowed a hit, two runs, two walks and two wild pitches in 2/3 of an inning. RHP MIKE LYONS pitched a perfect ninth to record his ninth save in a row and minor league-leading 11th on the season. Burns tripled twice in a win over the Rays two nights earlier. RHP DANNY HAREN pitched seven scoreless innings (5 H, 0 BB, 6 SO) to record the win in that game and improve to 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA in his first five starts. He had three walks and 26 strikeouts in 33 innings...OF BUCKY JACOBSEN hit a two-run homer and OF JEREMY DODSON followed with a solo shot to give the Smokies a 3-1 win over Orlando on April 26. Jacobsen doubled to lead off the bottom of the eighth and scored on a single by 2B CAO COSME to beat West Tenn, 5-4, on April 25...In nine appearances, Ankiel has walked 11 batters, hit two, thrown six wild pitches and allowed eight hits and nine runs in 8 1/3 innings through April 30.

1B BUCKY JACOBSEN hit safely in 10 straight games (15-39, 4 2B, 5 HR, 12 RBI) April 24-May 4, raising his average from .298 to .333. He hit a pair of home runs, two singles and knocked in four runs on May 4 in a 15-6 win at West Tenn. OF JOHN GALL contributed two singles, a double and homer in the 22-hit attack...RHP DANNY HAREN pitched eight scoreless innings (4 H, 1 BB, 4 SO) in a 5-0 win at West Tenn on May 3, and he was 5-0 with a 0.88 ERA in his first six starts. He was second in both wins and ERA through May 7.

WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX

RHP JOHN WEBB lost four straight starts from April 12-27 (21 IP, 28 H, 19 R, 19 ER) to drop to 0-4 with a 7.46 ERA in five starts...Through April 30, OF JASON DUBOIS ranked second in the league in batting (.377) and slugging (.681)...Heralded RHP ANGEL GUZMAN was 0-1, 4.00 ERA in his first five starts.

RHP JOHN WEBB lost five straight starts April 12-May 3 (27 IP, 35 H, 21 R, 20 ER, 12 BB, 21 SO)...3B DONNY LEON drove in five runs and OF RAY SADLER went 3-for-3 with four runs in a 12-6 win at Mobile on May 7...OF JASON DUBOIS hit .315 (17-54, 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 1 SB) in 20 games April 13-May 7. He was leading the league in on-base percentage (.500), was third in slugging (.631) and fourth in batting (.357).

SL BC Powder Hitter/Pitcher of the Week

Hitter of the Week (April 25-May 1)

Miguel Cabrera – Carolina Mudcats

Carolina Mudcats' infielder Miguel Cabrera was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week for the second consecutive week. Cabrera hit .500 (12-for-24), drove in seven runs and scored six times. Cabrera smacked five extra-base hits with three doubles and two home runs. For the week, the 20-year-old had a .875 slugging percentage and a .538 on-base percentage. The third baseman, who is ranked by Baseball America as the best prospect in the Florida Marlins' organization and the 12th best prospect in all of baseball, has certainly lived up to his billing. After the first month of the season, Cabrera leads the Southern League in average (.415), hits (44), RBI (32), runs (22), doubles (13), extra-base hits (19), and slugging percentage (.698). The Florida Marlins signed Cabrera as a non-drafted free agent in 1999. He resides in Maracay, Venezuela.

Pitcher of the Week (April 25-May 1)

Mike Lyons – Tennessee Smokies

Tennessee Smokies' righthander Mike Lyons was named the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week after picking up three saves. The relief pitcher appeared in three games this week picking up saves April 25 against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx and April 26 and 29 against the Orlando Rays. For the week, Lyons pitched three innings, surrendering no runs on two hits while striking out five. The St. Louis Cardinals signed the 27-year-old as a free agent in 2002. Lyons, who attended Stetson University, resides in Altamonte Springs, FL.

Hitter of the Week (May 2-May 8)

Rico Washington – Mobile BayBears

Mobile BayBears' third baseman Rico Washington was named the BC Powder Southern League Hitter of the Week. Washington hit .455 (10-for-22), drove in eight runs and scored seven times. Washington smacked six extra-base hits with three doubles and three home runs. For the week, the 24-year-old had a 1.000 slugging percentage and a .455 on-base percentage. The San Diego Padres picked up Washington in the 2002 Rule 5 draft after originally being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round of the June 1997 draft. He resides in Gray, GA.

Pitcher of the Week (May 2-May 8)

Mike Jones – Huntsville Stars

Huntsville Stars' starting pitcher Mike Jones was honored as the BC Powder Southern League Pitcher of the Week after an impressive outing against the Chattanooga Lookouts. The big righthander handcuffed the Lookouts for seven innings to pick up the win. Jones gave up no runs on two hits while striking out eight and walking one. Ranked by Baseball America as the second best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization, he was selected in the first round (12th overall) in the June 2001 draft. He resides in Phoenix, AZ.

© 2003 Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc.

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