SAL1 Lexington Legends

Taylor Becomes Legends Career Hits Leader

Published on September 1, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


NEWBRIDGE BANK PARK (Greensboro, N.C.) - Lexington Legends first baseman Eric Taylor broke the Legends' career hits record with an RBI-single in the seventh inning in the Legends' final game Monday. The hit was Taylor's 231st in two seasons with the Legends.

Taylor was the Houston Astros' 30th round pick in the 2006 draft out of UCLA and made his Lexington Legends debut on April 5, 2007, with an 0-3 performance against the Delmarva Shorebirds. The first baseman would go on to record 108 hits in 110 games during his inaugural season with the Legends. Taylor batted .261 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI in 2007.

Taylor returned to Lexington to start the 2008 season and went 2-5 with a run scored on Opening Day against the Asheville Tourists. His average dipped to .255 during his second season with the Legends, but Taylor increased his hit total to 123 this season in 132 games. Taylor added nine home runs and 56 RBI this season.

Eric entered August 23 hits shy of the Legends career mark of 230, set by Thommy Whiteman during his two seasons with the Legends in 2001 and 2002. Taylor slumped through August as he approached the record, batting only .210 in 28 games during the month and entered the final game of the season two hits shy of tying Whiteman's career record.

In addition to being the Legends all-time career hits leader, Eric also leads all South Atlantic League first baseman with a .993 fielding percentage and leads the team in games played with 132. Taylor has even added speed to his game this season by leading South Atlantic League first baseman with 27 stolen bases. The 27 steals rank third in the Houston Astros farm system.

Taylor finishes the season at the top of several key offensive categories in addition to hits. The first baseman holds the record for at-bats (897), ranks second in games played (242), second in runs scored (127), second in walks (93), third in RBI (110) and fifth in doubles (43).

Taylor spent the 2006 season with Tri-City of the New York-Penn League where he was an all-star. He finished fourth in the league in batting (.315) and fourth in on-base percentage (.394).

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