St. Joe's Whitesides Picked up by Chicago Cubs
August 26, 2006 - American Association (AA)
St. Joseph Blacksnakes News Release
ST. JOSEPH, MO- Manager Chris Carminucci is proud to announce that 2B/DH Jake Whitesides had his contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs earlier today. Whitesides will report to Single-A Peoria in the Midwest League.
The Columbia, MO native became the first member of the expansion franchise on December 27 from New Jersey (Can-Am). He hit .299 in 87 games with the 'Snakes and leads the league in triples with 13. Whitesides has six home runs and 59 RBI, and is also tied for the team lead in hits with 101.
The 25-year old was one of two St. Joe representatives on the American Association All-Star Team and was named the game's Most Valuable Player in late July.
Whitesides was a fifth round draft pick by the Houston Astros in 2000 but was not re-signed after the 2002 season and has been in independent baseball since.
"In all my years of coaching, I have never met a harder working player, at the ballpark early and taking each at bat seriously, than Jake," said Manager Chris Carminucci. "Nobody deserves this more than he does."
Whitesides is the 12th player from the American Association to be picked up this year and the first Blacksnake.
The Blacksnakes (22-24, 48-46) and Fort Worth Cats (32-14, 56-38) will conclude the 2006 season with a doubleheader tonight beginning at 6:05pm. Shingo Mitsumori (3-5) and Andrew Edwards (2-5) will start each game for the 'Snakes. You can catch the broadcast at www.stjoeblacksnakes.com or at the stadium at 88.9 FM beginning at 6:45pm with the Heartland Health Pre-Game Show.
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American Association Stories from August 26, 2006
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