Voting Open for Top Sioux Falls Catcher
Published on June 4, 2012 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS - They captain the defense. They call pitches. They counsel pitchers. They throw out base stealers. Their bodies take endless abuse. Plus, they have to hit.
The Sioux Falls Canaries/Pheasants have had no shortage of great backstops that could do it all. Most were here for a brief time. But each of these nominees for the Sioux Falls 20th-Anniversary Team left their mark (and may have a few left on them).
It's up to fans to decide who makes the squad. Voting lasts through June 13 on the Pheasants website, www.sfpheasants.com.
Fans can select their top choice from these candidates:
Gregg Maluchnik (2001-2002) -- Maluchnik caught 87 games during the Canaries' 2001 division championship season. He set team single-season records for games caught (87) and assists (66), and he tied Aaron Cannaday's 1995 record of 37 runners caught stealing in a season. Over 102 games in two seasons with Sioux Falls, Maluchnik hit .245 with five home runs and 44 RBI.
Carl Nichols (1993-1994) -- Nichols was the Canaries' inaugural catcher. In two seasons, he hit .275 with 19 home runs and 101 RBI. His 127 hits are the most of any catcher in team history. In 1994, Nichols belted 14 home runs, the most of any catcher in a single season. On defense, he has the highest single-season caught stealing percentage, .411, set in 1994. Nichols is also the career leader in assists (88). Nichols came with to Sioux Falls with MLB experience. He played 96 games in six different stints with the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros.
Rich Rodrigues (1998-1999, 2003) -- Rodrigues has been behind the plate for 155 games, more than any other player in franchise history. He is the career leader in runners caught stealing (51) and putouts (825). Offensively, Rodrigues hit .232 with 17 home runs and 70 RBI in his Sioux Falls career.
Paul Smyth (2008-2009) -- Smyth had the best overall offensive output of any receiver in franchise history. During the Canaries' 2008 championship season, Smyth hit .311 and slugged 11 home runs with 60 RBI. An elbow injury shortened Smyth's second season, but he finished with a .285 career average. Smyth also set a single-season record for putouts in 2008 (578).
The results will be announced on Thursday, June 14. Nominees were determined by a select group of organization members and Sioux Falls media personnel who have long observed the club.
The 20th-Anniversary Team will consist of two starting pitchers, two relief pitchers, one catcher, a representative from each infield position, three outfielders and a designated hitter. In addition, fans can vote for a manager.
More nominees and voting will occur throughout the season.
The Sioux Falls Pheasants are in their 20th season of independent professional baseball. Information about season tickets and group outings is available by calling (605) 336-6060 or visiting www.sfpheasants.com.
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