West in a season of options
September 8, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Kevin West is torn between two emotions. He's personally thrilled to death about winning the Northern League batting title and yet he's extremely unhappy to be at home during the Northern League playoffs.
Still, the unhappiness hasn't turned off his desire to return to the Goldeyes next season, "if the situation is right."
"I don't want to get into it, but if the situation in Winnipeg is right, then yeah, I'd like to play next season," West said via telephone from his home in Fort Myers, Fla.
"We had a terribly disappointing season and I'm not happy to be at home right now. It means I have to go out and get a job one week early. I'd rather be back in Winnipeg waiting to start the playoffs.
"Winning the batting title feels good. I have a personal sense of accomplishment, but as any professional baseball player would feel, I want to be part of the success that we should enjoy as a team and instead, we had a terribly disappointing season."
From a personal standpoint, West was brilliant in 2010. He batted .391 in the month of August alone as he finished the season with a .337 average, two points ahead of teammate Juan Diaz and six points up on Kansas City's Jacob Blackwood.
He had nine home runs, 28 doubles, three triples, 62 runs scored and 70 RBI in all 99 Goldeyes games this past season. Amazingly, he led the team in stolen bases with 20 and yet was second to Diaz in slugging percentage at .496.
West became the third Goldeyes player to win the NL batting title, but the first in 12 seasons. Terry Lee won the crown in 1995 and 1997 while Brian Duva won it in 1998.
"Regardless of what happens between now and next year, I'll be somewhere in baseball," West said. "I've always said I wanted to coach and eventually manage, so I'm getting my resume together and I'm going to send it out to everybody I know and see who responds.
"But that doesn't mean I wouldn't want to play again. Obviously, I can still play. Right now, one day after the season has ended, I haven't made any decisions, but I will be involved in baseball. That much I know."
Northern League Stories from September 8, 2010
- Cruse Outduels Bay in Game One Loss - Joliet JackHammers
- Cruse Outduels Bay in Game One Loss - Joliet JackHammers
- T-Bones Cruse to Victory in 1-0 Pitcher's Duel - Kansas City Monarchs
- West in a season of options - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wildest Promotion Ever at 6:30 pm Game - Joliet JackHammers
- Kintzler Reaches Majors with the Brewers - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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