Sunday, October 24, 2083
BIRCHER HONORED AS PRO CUP MVP IN CLOSE VOTE
Support for the 2083 IPA Pro Cup Most Valuable Player Award was spread out among 5 vital performers who sparked the East Point Panthers to their very first Pro Cup Trophy in the team's very long and disheartening 82-year history. In a very tight poll Golden Glove shortstop John Bircher just barely beat out his teammates first baseman Julian Marchand and three hurlers Kent Burleigh, Jorgy Neal and Howie Wible.
The 36-year-old Bircher stood out in the postseason playoffs with a .344 BA in 17 games with 21 hits, 6 doubles, 1 roundtripper, 12 RBIs and 8 runs scored. Ironically, Bircher starred in last year's Pro Cup Series, leading the Kenwood Wildcats to the IPA crown. He was traded in the offseason to the Panthers. Bircher came in 4th in the Pro Cup MVP poll last year. 4 times he has been acclaimed a Golden Glove winner.
Julian Marchand finished second in the MVP voting this season. He batted .286 with 18 hits in 17 games with 3 doubles, 3 homers, 9 RBIs and 12 runs scored. Marchand is also a 2-time winner fo the Golden Glove Award. He is 31 years of age.
Three pitchers were in the running, too. Many think it was the East Point mound corps that brought home the trophy. Starter Kent Burleigh went 5-0 in his 5 starts with a 2.84 ERA. He came in third in the MVP voting, followed by his bullpen, which saved his victories. Burleigh was the 2080 Tycobbian Union Golden Arm. Fourth place went to Jorgy Neal, who relieved in 10 games, posting a 2.45 ERA with 2 saves and 3 holds. Fifth in the MVP balloting was Howie Wible. He appeared in 9 games with a 2.30 ERA, 3 saves and 1 hold.
