Three Miners Honored as Postseason All-Stars
September 1, 2016 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners are proud to announce that captain Steve Marino, Craig Massey and Shane Kennedy have all been voted to the Frontier League Postseason All-Star team at third base, designated hitter, and in the outfield, respectively. Kennedy has also won the Jason Simontacchi Award as the league's Rookie of the Year.
The three selections to the postseason all-star squad represent the most ever for the Miners in a single season, while Kennedy becomes the first Miner ever to win the Rookie of the Year award. In addition, the Miners have also been selected to receive a Commissioner's Award of Excellence for on-field performance and community outreach, specifically regarding the highly successful Stand Up For Blue Night on August 11th.
Named the Miners' first-ever captain this season, Marino has had a career year for the Miners at third base. The Lake Grove, New York native enters Sunday's action hitting .287 with a career-best 15 home runs and 74 RBIs along with 22 doubles, 52 runs scored and 100 hits. Also a midseason all-star for the first time in his five-year career in the Frontier League this season, Marino ranks third in the league in RBIs and fifth in home runs while also placing inside the top-10 in doubles and hits. He is the first Miner to be recognized as the postseason all-star at third base.
A versatile player who has seen action at four different positions this year in the field, Massey earns the postseason all-star nod as a designated hitter. Hailing from Bells, Tennessee, the two-time midseason Frontier League all-star enters Sunday's contests hitting .304 with five home runs, 40 RBIs, 12 doubles, seven triples, 55 runs scored, 85 hits, and has stolen 19 bases in 24 attempts while also owning more walks (47) than strikeouts (35). His batting average and .408 on-base percentage have both ranked inside the league's top-10 for almost the entire season while his seven triples place him second in the league. His postseason nod at DH is the first ever for the Miners as well.
After missing time early in the season due to a hamstring injury, Kennedy has erupted down the stretch to post one of the best seasons by a rookie in Miners history, becoming the first Miners player ever to win the Jason Simontacchi Award as the Frontier League Rookie of the Year. Also earning postseason all-star honors in the outfield, the Orlando, Florida native enters Sunday hitting .345 with four homers, 22 doubles, 41 RBIs, 62 runs scored, 88 hits and a remarkable 34 stolen bases in 39 attempts in just 72 games. He places third in the league in batting average and second with a .456 on-base percentage while also ranking in the league's top-10 in doubles and runs scored. In addition, his 34 stolen bases are second in the circuit and make him one of only three Miners ever to steal 30 or more bases in a single season (Darian Sandford, Jereme Milons [twice]).
"I am incredibly proud and happy for all our of guys," Miners manager Mike Pinto said. "They are all deserving of these tremendous honors. The league has so many outstanding players, and its a great testament to the hard work these guys have put in.
"Steve has been a leader both on and off the field. Arguably the best defensive 3rd baseman in the league, his offense jumped to a new level this season. He has brought power to our lineup and has been tremendous as a run producer for us. On a personal level, Steve has been with us for 3 seasons so my affection for him as a person makes me so very happy for him.
"Craig has been an offensive leader for us all season. He does so many things for us, both as a hitter and a defender. Craig has the ability to play multiple positions on the field as well as in the DH role. Since joining us last season, Craig has been an impact guy for us in so many ways and I couldn't be happier for him to receive this great honor.
"Shane has so many tools that make him successful. His average among the top of the league's leaderboard is only a small indication of his impact to us. He has impactful, game changing speed on the bases and in the field. His all-out style of play matched to his talent made him an absolute choice for both of these honors."
The Miners will return to action against the Gateway Grizzlies in a rubber match on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m., with Rick Teasley on the mound for the Miners against Gateway southpaw Jon Jones in the final regular season road contest for the Miners in 2016.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2016 Frontier League West Division Champions, the 2014 and 2015 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.
Frontier League Stories from September 1, 2016
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- Three Miners Honored as Postseason All-Stars - Southern Illinois Miners
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- Molesky Shuts Down Miners - Gateway Grizzlies
- Miners Shut out by Grizzlies - Southern Illinois Miners
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