Two Former Omaha Players Share American League Honors
Published on April 14, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, NE - A former Omaha pitcher and outfielder were selected today to share the American League's Player of the Week award. Kansas City right-hander Brian Bannister and Seattle left fielder Raul Ibanez were named as the A.L.'s Co-Players of the Week.
In his third start of the season on Sunday, Bannister posted his third win by hurling a complete game in the Royals' 5-1 win over Minnesota, giving up just one unearned run on three singles to lower his ERA to 0.86. In his two starts last week, the 27-year old right-hander went 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA. It's the first weekly award in the big leagues for Bannister, although he won the A.L. Rookie of the Month awards in June and August of 2007.
Bannister opened the 2007 campaign with Omaha, going 1-1 with a 2.61 ERA in four Triple-A starts before being promoted to Kansas City on April 24th. He went 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA last season for the parent club.
Ibanez garnered his fourth career weekly award by hitting .370 with four home runs and eleven RBI last week for the Mariners. The 35-year old outfielder, who leads the A.L. with ten extra-base hits this season, played briefly for the Omaha Golden Spikes in 2001. He hit .148 (4-for-27) with two homers and 5 RBI in eight games with Omaha that year, but did much better in his first season with Kansas City in 2001, hitting .280 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI in 104 games.
Ibanez spent all of 2002 and 2003 with KC, hitting .294 both seasons, chipping in 24 homers and 103 RBI in '02 and scoring 95 runs in '03. He has been back with the M's, his original organization, since 2004.
A third former Kansas City Royals farm hand, Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis, had also been nominated for the weekly honor. Ellis played for Double-A Wichita in 2000, but was traded to the A's prior to the 2001 season along with outfielder Johnny Damon in a three-team deal.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 14, 2008
- Sky Sox And Rainiers Split Series As Tacoma Wins 9-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Omaha shuts down 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
- Z's lose on walkoff homer - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Cubs Edge Sounds In Series Finale, 5-4 In Twelve - Nashville Sounds
- Matsui to Join Express On the Road - Round Rock Express
- Sidewinders rally for much needed win - Tucson Sidewinders
- Hoover hands 'Topes walk-off win - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Oregon State, Portland Pilots set for Tuesday clash at PGE Park - Portland Beavers
- Two Former Omaha Players Share American League Honors - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sidewinders Strike Against Fresno Bullpen In Win - Fresno Grizzlies
- Bees Strike Late To Edge Beavers In Series Finale - Portland Beavers
- Brown Named PCL Hitter Of The Week - Salt Lake Bees
- Omaha Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs Begin Second Homestand Tomorrow - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
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.
