Sunday, October 28, 2085
VIZCARRA AND GRANHAM IPA BEST RECRUITS IN 2085
"Beginner, greenhorn, tenderfoot"... none of those words really fit the bill when it comes to the best new players in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The best word is "rookie". In the class of 2085 the top recruits were catcher Paz Vizcarra of the Beechwood Blues and pitcher Dookie Garnham of the Hartsdale Hellcats. Those two stood head-and-shoulders above the average newcomer. Vizcarra was selected the 2085 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year, while Garnham was picked the 2085 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year. They were honored as the best freshmen in the IPA this season.
2085 was a sparse season for rookies in the IPA. In both the Ruthlandian Union and the Tycobbian Union only 14 position players and 4 pitchers won regular spots in the batting order and starting rotations.
BLUES' VIZCARRA TOP RU ROOKIE
In the Ruthlandian Union Beechwood backstop Paz Vizcara (.277 BA/15 HR/63 RBI) beat out Rocky Rapids center fielder Henri Talleyrand (.317 BA/6 HR/67 RBI) and Glasco second sacker Florian du Pont (.295 BA/10 HR/65 RBI) for the top rookie trophy, given out by The Islandian Times. None of them played for contenders. Beechwood (64-90) finished last, Rocky Rapids (78-76) came in 6th and Glasco (64-90) wound up in the cellar.
HELLCATS' GARNHAM BEST TU FRESHMAN
One rookie certainly made his presence known this season in the Tycobbian Union. Pitcher Dookie Garnham (16-5/2.50 ERA/30 starts) really earned his keep with the pennant-winning Hartsdale Hellcats. He easily was acclaimed the 2085 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year over La Claire shortstop Lyn Holman (.284 BA/0 HR/51 RBI/94 R) and Mahaska left fielder Devern O'Donnell (.262 BA/13 HR/48 RBI/91 R). All three of them made positive contributions to their clubs. Hartsdale (91-63) won the TU North, La Claire (81-73) ended up a close 3rd in the TU West, losing out to Chicopee by just one and a half games and Mahaska (86-68) ran a fine race in the TU North, falling 2nd to the champion Hellcats by 5 games.
