Vote For Top Riverhawks Shortstop
March 9, 2011 - Northern League (NL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - One was a playoff most valuable player. Two others were part of perhaps the best defensive infield in modern independent baseball history. Two were part of the Rockford RiverHawks' last playoff team. It's up to fans to decide which was the top shortstop in RiverHawks history.
In celebration of its 10th season, the RiverHawks are offering fans the chance to decide who is the greatest player in team history at each position, from starting pitcher to shortstop to outfield. Votes can be cast at the team website, www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
Voting will switch to a new position approximately every 7-10 days. Winners will be announced at the end of each voting period and all will be acknowledged at a game this summer with an all-time RiverHawks poster, co-sponsored by Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet and The Hemmens, to be given out at a game to be announced.
The newest position is shortstop. The finalists, determined by a panel of longtime members of the organization, are:
Jono Brooks (2007-) - Brooks is among the all-time leaders in home runs and stolen bases. His 24 homers is good for fifth on the all-time list. His 71 career steals in 3 seasons puts him in second place. Last year, Brooks' .972 fielding percentage led Northern League shortstops.
Brad Dutton (2006-08) - The Australian hit .279 and drove in 101 runs in three years as a RiverHawk. In 2007, the RiverHawks earned their most recent postseason appearance with a walkoff win in the season finale - Dutton started the rally with a single and scored the winner. In his final season as a RiverHawk, he hit .311.
Mark Garner (2003) - Garner spent his only professional season with the RiverHawks, and his defense made it memorable. The RiverHawks broke a Frontier League record with a .975 fielding percentage. Garner had a .973 percentage and committed just 11 errors in 87 games. His walkup music - Jerry Reed's "Eastbound and Down" from "Smokey and the Bandit", earned him the nickname "The Bandit."
Olmo Rosario (2004-05) - In the 2004 postseason, Rosario hit .429 during the RiverHawks' run to the Frontier League pennant and was voted Finals MVP. He returned for 2005 and hit .373, a team record at the time. Rosario hit 11 home runs in his final season with Rockford and was an all-star.
Kiley Vaughn (2003-04) - Vaughn, another defensive wiz, had a .973 fielding percentage while at shortstop in his two years with the RiverHawks. Though he led Frontier League second basemen in fielding percentage in 2003 and was an all-star at the position in 2004, he spent the second half of the season, and the playoffs, at short.
Players are eligible to be nominated at more than one position - in fact, all but Garner also saw significant time at other positions. Dutton was also a finalist at third base.
The Hemmens Cultural Center is located in downtown Elgin. From contemporary music and theatre to shows for the whole family, The Hemmens features popular acts in an intimate setting.
Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet of Rockford is Winnebago's County's premier Chevy dealer. Lou Bachrodt is located near Cherryvale Mall, just minutes from the stadium.
Voters can view a player's statistics online by clicking on the player's name at the poll.
Opening Night for the RiverHawks' 10th season is 7:05 p.m. Thursday, May 26, when they host Schaumburg. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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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.
