Surf Dawgs Golden Baseball League Inaugural Champions
September 13, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
San Diego Surf Dawgs News Release
Thank you to all of our fans who supported us throughout the playoffs in Long Beach! The Surf Dawgs faced the Arizona Division Champions the Mesa Miners in the GBL Championship game and won 9 - 6.
Cody Clark topped off his award studded year by capturing the Championship Series MVP.
The Surf Dawgs Pitching staff strung together the four best consecutive games of the season, which was unmatched by any pitching staff in the league. Including Jeff Blitstein starting the weekend by pitching 8 shutout innings and ending the playoffs with his first save.
Guerra Wins Rookie of the Year
Nick Guerra, catcher/third baseman, for the San Diego Surf Dawgs won the GBL Rookie of the Year Award in a close contest. Guerra, a 24 year-old rookie out of San Jose State, led all rookies in Hits (87), Home Runs (7), RBIs (62), Total Bases (130), and Walks (30) while finishing with a .290 batting average in 300 At Bats as he played in 83 of his team's 90 games. In addition, he was voted to the GBL All-Star team in mid-season and was the California Division Player of the Week in late July. Although new at third base, he was an accomplished catcher having been a top high school player in San Diego, and then an all-conference selection at Grossmont College in San Diego before accepting a scholarship to San Jose State where he led the Spartans in home runs in 2003. Nick attended the first GBL player tryouts in December in Fullerton and was a top selection by Manager Terry Kennedy who signed him as a catcher before being converted to 3rd base at spring training.
Several San Diego Surf Dawgs were honorably mentioned for the Inaugural Season awards, including staff ace Jeff Blitstein who came in second for Pitcher of the Year. Jeff had a 10-3 record and a 2.92 ERA. Jeff threw the first pitch of the season and the last pitch of the season for the Surf Dawgs as he closed out the Championship Game for San Diego. Chico Outlaw Grant Gregg won the award with a 12-2 record and a 1.97 ERA. Second Baseman/Outfielder, Adam Mandel was third in the Rookie of the Year voting with a .309 average and 49 Runs. Adam started the season as an outfielder, however made an easy transition to second base and became a reliable defender up the middle for the Surf Dawgs. Outfielder Scott Goodman was fourth in the MVP voting for the GBL. His numbers .310, 12 HRs, 69 RBIs, and 66 Runs proved he was one of the best offensive threats within the Golden Baseball League. Surprise Fightin' Falcon Desi Wilson won the award with a .411 batting average. Josh Rummonds, Surf Dawg middle reliever, was fourth in the voting for Rookie Pitcher of the Year. Josh had a 4-1 record, 2.63 ERA in 27 appearances. Josh was a left handed specialist for Manager Terry Kennedy who let Josh pitch 2.2 innings in the Championship Game as he was one out away from closing out the Mesa Miners before Blitstein came in for the extra support. Mesa Miner starter Manny Ayala won the award by going 12-4.
"I am very proud of not only Nick Guerra, but all of our players who received consideration for GBL awards," said Juliana Paoli General Manager. "The Surf Dawgs played hard all season and deserve the recognition for being a part of the GBL Championship team. Nick Guerra was one of the Surf Dawgs hometown heroes; it was great to watch him play in front of his family and friends."
Thank you for an Incredible Season
Let me begin with saying that I cannot believe this Season has come to an end. This has been an incredible journey that all started with two determined college kids at Stanford wanting to provide a fun and affordable form of entertainment through baseball. This has been a wonderful year with many memorable moments.
There are numerous people that contributed to the success of the Surf Dawgs. Our community partners that took a chance on a first year start up team, I thank you for having the faith to join this journey. To the Surf Dawgs players you are the reason we are here and I thank you for providing an excellent product on the field. I never thought that we would be in 1st place but have been delighted in watching you perform day after day. I have enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you and learning your individual journey that lead you here. To TK, LO and Chow (the Coaching Staff), you are a wonderful group who has taught me so much about baseball and business. Maybe by next year I will be actually be able to hit the ball. To my Front Office staff I don't know what I would do without you, each of you have amazing talents and have truly enriched my life. I thank you for believing in me and this team and putting in the blood, sweat and tears needed to create this wonderful experience.
Lastly, but most importantly to our FANS, THANK YOU!!! Your support and encouragement throughout the year means more to me than words can express. I have enjoyed getting to know each of you and creating my own memories, whether it was hugging Mr. and Mrs. Wilson on the way in every night or holding every baby in the ballpark, each of you have made this once in a lifetime experience truly fulfilling. Thank you for being part of the Surf Dawgs Inaugural Season!
Play Ball,
Juliana Paoli
General Manager, Surf Dawgs
Golden Baseball League Stories from September 13, 2005
- Surf Dawgs Golden Baseball League Inaugural Champions - San Diego Surf Dawgs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
