The team MVP came down to three people. Evan Dawley, Kris Krstich and Randy Nettles all received multiple votes for the Team MVP. In the end we ended up with a tie between Dawley and Nettles.
Dawley has won this award now for the fourth time in his five years on the team and this is the third straight year for him. Evan is always one of the team's best offensive and defensive players. He hits for a high average, gets on base and of course hits for power. Defensively he is a brick wall behind the plate. He even played some games at first and third this year, showing his versatility.
Nettles wins this award for the first time in his Cubs career. Like Evan, Randy hits for both average and power and gets on base. Nettles also played a good third and first base throughout the season. Nettles also won the team's Offensive Player of the Year award this year and a Most Dedicated Player award.
Other past winners of this award include: Dave Cordova, Bill Bode (twice), and Derek Elsner (twice).
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Most Improved and Most Dedicated Players
Both of these awards are very subjective and in turn they get a wide range of different people voted for. This year each recieved votes for 5 different players and each came out with a tie.
For Most Improved some people look at year over year but others also look at from the start of the season to the end. This year Mike Dawson, Steve Girodat, Tom Girodat, Jimmy Roehm and Jason Westphal all revieved votes. Tying with the most votes though was Mike Dawson and Tom Girodat. Tom has won the award two other times, in 2005 and 2006. In 2008 though Tom saw more time behind the plate than in previous years and also set some career highs with the bat as well (doubles, triples and RBI). Mike Dawson won the award for the first time. Mike started the year just 6 months after ACL surgery and was very limited in what he could do on the field. Throughout the year he was able to get back in the field on defense and on the mound to help the team. Despite this Mike set a career high with 7 doubles and tied career highs in RBI and walks. He also threw his first complete game in 6 years. Past winners of this award include: Jerry DiGiovanni, Tom Girodat (twice) and Randy Nettles.
For the most Dedicated Player there was a three-way tie between Steve Girodat, Randy Nettles and Dave Reitman. Jimmy Roehm and Jon VanSon also recieved votes. With manager Mike Dawson not being at 100% of the games a lot of different guys stepped up to help. When Dawson wasn't there Reitman took the reins as acting manager with the help from the likes of Nettles and Girodat. Giordat played in a career high 33 games, missing just one game. Despite missing some games Nettles is always a team leader both on and off the field. Past winners of this award include: Bill Bode, Charles O'Loughlin, Jeremy Oxford, Dave Reitman and Randy Nettles.
For Most Improved some people look at year over year but others also look at from the start of the season to the end. This year Mike Dawson, Steve Girodat, Tom Girodat, Jimmy Roehm and Jason Westphal all revieved votes. Tying with the most votes though was Mike Dawson and Tom Girodat. Tom has won the award two other times, in 2005 and 2006. In 2008 though Tom saw more time behind the plate than in previous years and also set some career highs with the bat as well (doubles, triples and RBI). Mike Dawson won the award for the first time. Mike started the year just 6 months after ACL surgery and was very limited in what he could do on the field. Throughout the year he was able to get back in the field on defense and on the mound to help the team. Despite this Mike set a career high with 7 doubles and tied career highs in RBI and walks. He also threw his first complete game in 6 years. Past winners of this award include: Jerry DiGiovanni, Tom Girodat (twice) and Randy Nettles.
For the most Dedicated Player there was a three-way tie between Steve Girodat, Randy Nettles and Dave Reitman. Jimmy Roehm and Jon VanSon also recieved votes. With manager Mike Dawson not being at 100% of the games a lot of different guys stepped up to help. When Dawson wasn't there Reitman took the reins as acting manager with the help from the likes of Nettles and Girodat. Giordat played in a career high 33 games, missing just one game. Despite missing some games Nettles is always a team leader both on and off the field. Past winners of this award include: Bill Bode, Charles O'Loughlin, Jeremy Oxford, Dave Reitman and Randy Nettles.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year award was also won in a landslide by Kris Krstich. However, like the pitcher of the year award the margin of victory does not diminish the contributions by the other Cubs rookies in 2008. The 2008 rookier crop for the Cubs was probably one of the best group of players the team has ever had.
Krsitch won the award not only based on his pitching strength (see Pitcher of the Year writeup for stats) but also his hitting and fielding. When he wasn't pitching Krstich was the team's primary first basemen but also had the ability to move to the outfield when needed. Krstich hit .303 with a .409 OBP. He drove in 22 runs, scored 18 times and walked 18 times as well.
The other rookies included Steve Gordon (see Pitcher of the Year writeup for stats), Matt Cook and Jimmy Roehm. Cook came to the team as a utility player who could play the infield, outfield and catcher and the Cubs used him in every one of those capacities throughout the year. Cook also gave the Cubs speed as he stole 14 bases in 23 games played. Cook also scored 22 times and had a .395 OBP. Roehm started the year as a back for the Cubs but quickly proved he deserved some playing time. However, after playing in only 9 games Roehm tore his labrum diving back to a bag and was out for the rest of the year. In his time though Roehm hit .348 with 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 7 runs scored and a .444 OBP.
Past winners of the Rookie of the Year award include: Steve Girodat, Jon VanSon, Adam Kline, Jason Rider and Yuki Minigawa.
Krsitch won the award not only based on his pitching strength (see Pitcher of the Year writeup for stats) but also his hitting and fielding. When he wasn't pitching Krstich was the team's primary first basemen but also had the ability to move to the outfield when needed. Krstich hit .303 with a .409 OBP. He drove in 22 runs, scored 18 times and walked 18 times as well.
The other rookies included Steve Gordon (see Pitcher of the Year writeup for stats), Matt Cook and Jimmy Roehm. Cook came to the team as a utility player who could play the infield, outfield and catcher and the Cubs used him in every one of those capacities throughout the year. Cook also gave the Cubs speed as he stole 14 bases in 23 games played. Cook also scored 22 times and had a .395 OBP. Roehm started the year as a back for the Cubs but quickly proved he deserved some playing time. However, after playing in only 9 games Roehm tore his labrum diving back to a bag and was out for the rest of the year. In his time though Roehm hit .348 with 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 7 runs scored and a .444 OBP.
Past winners of the Rookie of the Year award include: Steve Girodat, Jon VanSon, Adam Kline, Jason Rider and Yuki Minigawa.
Pitcher of the Year
Along with the Cubs Rookie of the Year award the Pitcher of the Year award was the most lopsided award in the voting. Kris Krstich ran away with the award garnering 88% of the vote.
Kris was by far the teams most dependable starter as he started 11 games for the Cubs and threw over 64 innings. He went 5-2 with a Cubs record 1.08 ERA. He struck out 46 and allowed only 52 hits in those 64+ innings.
Despite the lopsided voting the Cubs had a number of other deserving pitchers that could have been considered for the award. Steve Gordon started 6 games for the Cubs striking out 40 in 40 1/3 innings with a 1.56 ERA. Chris Baroli started 5 games going 3-1 with 28 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings and a 1.38 ERA.
The Cubs overall pitching staff was supurb this year with an ERA of 1.67 and a WHIP of 1.28.
Past winners of the Pitching of Year award include: Mike Dawson, Bill Bode, Jake Green, Jason Westphal, Dustin McElroy, Dave Theriault and Yuki Minigawa.
Kris was by far the teams most dependable starter as he started 11 games for the Cubs and threw over 64 innings. He went 5-2 with a Cubs record 1.08 ERA. He struck out 46 and allowed only 52 hits in those 64+ innings.
Despite the lopsided voting the Cubs had a number of other deserving pitchers that could have been considered for the award. Steve Gordon started 6 games for the Cubs striking out 40 in 40 1/3 innings with a 1.56 ERA. Chris Baroli started 5 games going 3-1 with 28 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings and a 1.38 ERA.
The Cubs overall pitching staff was supurb this year with an ERA of 1.67 and a WHIP of 1.28.
Past winners of the Pitching of Year award include: Mike Dawson, Bill Bode, Jake Green, Jason Westphal, Dustin McElroy, Dave Theriault and Yuki Minigawa.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Defensive Player of the Year
The Defensive Player Award was one of the closest votes this year with four different players recieving votes. Those four players were Evan Dawley, Steve Girodat, Jason Rider and Jon VanSon. All were excellent this year defensively and contributed to the Cubs success this year.
Dawley has been steller for the Cubs behind the plate for a number of years and consistantly recieves votes for this award despite not having won it yet. Dawley is always a brick wall behind the plate and is great at blocking those arrant pitches.
Girodat has been the wondering fielder for the Cubs during his career. He started out as mainly a utility players seeing most of his time at third and outfield. Then in 2006 he became the Cubs regular centerfielder. In 2007 he moved over to left mainly, while seeing some time at second base as well. His play in 2007 earned him the Defensive Player of the Year award. Then this year he became the Cubs fulltime second basemen and played as if he had played his entire career there.
Rider was again the teams centerfielder after taking over fulltime in center in 2007. Rider is one of the fastest players in the league and has one of the strongest arms of any outfielder in the league. With the move to SCS with smaller outfields and wood bats Rider was able to play very shallow and was able to catch a lot of bloopers that would have been hits. Rider also threw out a number of runners trying to score this year. Despite not being a fulltime starter in 2006 until part way through the season Rider won the Defensive Player of the Year award that year playing in left and centerfield.
The last candidate for this award was Jon VanSon. VanSon was the team's shortstop again and was very reliable and consistant in 2008. He made a number of outstanding plays this year to help the Cubs pitching staff.
So without any more writing the winner of the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award is Jason Rider. As stated above Rider also won the award in 2006 and ties Derek Elsner for the most Defensive Player of the Year awards with two. Other past winners include: Paul McGlaun, Jim Vick, Josh Patton, Chris Baroli, Dave Brumagin and Steve Girodat.
Dawley has been steller for the Cubs behind the plate for a number of years and consistantly recieves votes for this award despite not having won it yet. Dawley is always a brick wall behind the plate and is great at blocking those arrant pitches.
Girodat has been the wondering fielder for the Cubs during his career. He started out as mainly a utility players seeing most of his time at third and outfield. Then in 2006 he became the Cubs regular centerfielder. In 2007 he moved over to left mainly, while seeing some time at second base as well. His play in 2007 earned him the Defensive Player of the Year award. Then this year he became the Cubs fulltime second basemen and played as if he had played his entire career there.
Rider was again the teams centerfielder after taking over fulltime in center in 2007. Rider is one of the fastest players in the league and has one of the strongest arms of any outfielder in the league. With the move to SCS with smaller outfields and wood bats Rider was able to play very shallow and was able to catch a lot of bloopers that would have been hits. Rider also threw out a number of runners trying to score this year. Despite not being a fulltime starter in 2006 until part way through the season Rider won the Defensive Player of the Year award that year playing in left and centerfield.
The last candidate for this award was Jon VanSon. VanSon was the team's shortstop again and was very reliable and consistant in 2008. He made a number of outstanding plays this year to help the Cubs pitching staff.
So without any more writing the winner of the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award is Jason Rider. As stated above Rider also won the award in 2006 and ties Derek Elsner for the most Defensive Player of the Year awards with two. Other past winners include: Paul McGlaun, Jim Vick, Josh Patton, Chris Baroli, Dave Brumagin and Steve Girodat.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Offensive Player of the Year
The first award for the 2008 season is the Offensive Player of the Year. This year it was a two man race between two past winners. Randy Nettles and Evan Dawley stood out for the Cubs this year offensively.
Nettles led the team this year in homer runs with 5, RBI with 25, walks with 20, average (.444), on-base percentage (.570), slugging percentage (.741) and OPS (1.311). Nettles also had 9 doubles (second) and 36 hits (tied for second). Nettles hit fourth in the Cubs order and was the most constant hitter the team had throughout the season.
Dawley was again one of the teams best hitters. Dawley led the team in hits with 37 and double with 11. He also had 2 homers, 21 RBI and 30 runs scored (second). He hit .394 with a .478 OBP and a .596 slugging percentage. Unfortunately for Dawley he really turned it on in the last third of the season right before playoffs but had to leave for school and missed the playoffs.
With over 60% of the votes Nettles wins Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight year. Past winners of this awardfor the Cubs include: Dave Cordova, Mike Dawson, Derek Elsner, Adam Lipski, Evan Dawley, Bill Bode and Steve Girodat. Nettles is the first two time winner of this award.
Nettles led the team this year in homer runs with 5, RBI with 25, walks with 20, average (.444), on-base percentage (.570), slugging percentage (.741) and OPS (1.311). Nettles also had 9 doubles (second) and 36 hits (tied for second). Nettles hit fourth in the Cubs order and was the most constant hitter the team had throughout the season.
Dawley was again one of the teams best hitters. Dawley led the team in hits with 37 and double with 11. He also had 2 homers, 21 RBI and 30 runs scored (second). He hit .394 with a .478 OBP and a .596 slugging percentage. Unfortunately for Dawley he really turned it on in the last third of the season right before playoffs but had to leave for school and missed the playoffs.
With over 60% of the votes Nettles wins Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight year. Past winners of this awardfor the Cubs include: Dave Cordova, Mike Dawson, Derek Elsner, Adam Lipski, Evan Dawley, Bill Bode and Steve Girodat. Nettles is the first two time winner of this award.
Friday, October 24, 2008
2008 Season in Review
For the first time in the Cubs history the team did not play in the Pontiac Class ‘A’ league. For the 2008 season the Cubs switched to the St. Clair Shores MABL wood bat league. The two biggest differences in the two leagues were the SCS league is a wood bat league and the SCS league has much better fields. The SCS league also is a 23+ league, meaning a couple of players from the 2007 team were ineligible to play this year. The team did though keep most of it core players.
Evan Dawley and Tom Girodat were behind the plate. Randy Nettles saw time at third and first. Steve Girodat took over full-time at second base and Jon VanSon again was the team’s shortstop. Mike Dawson was limited in the field but did play some third base. In the outfield Jason Rider was again solid in center and Dave Reitman was in right.
On the mound Dave Theriault returned for a few starts with Chris Johnson back in the rotation. Mike Dawson was limited in his mound appearances due to his knee surgery in the off-season.
However, they did lose their top two pitchers from last year. Ryan Drews was out because of injury and Yuki Minigawa was not available due to work and school. Fortunately though, the Cubs were able to add three new starters to the staff. Kris Krstich came over from the Pontiac Red Sox and become the team’s new number one starter. He threw over 64 innings for the Cubs, the second most in team history. Steve Gordon was came on to the team and provided the team with some great starts. Also new to the staff was an old face. Chris Baroli, the Cubs former shortstop, converted to a pitcher and threw some great games for the Cubs. Unfortunately though Baroli had some arm trouble late in the year which limited his effectiveness and availability.
The team also added a couple other newcomers. Matt Cook was a nice addition to the team providing the team with some speed and utility in the field. Cook played five different positions for the Cubs from the corner outfield positions to third and second and catcher. Jimmy Roehm came to the team having not played organized baseball for a number of years; however he was able to pick things back up right away. Roehm was a backup but quickly earned playing time with his bat and his play in the field. Unfortunately, less than half way through the year Roehm separated his shoulder diving back to second and tore his labrum and was out for the year. Also back with the team in a part time role was Jason Westphal. Westphal started the year as a pitcher but arm trouble ended that comeback quickly but he was able to play in the field and hit with some effectiveness in a backup role.
To start the season the Cubs faced off against the Braves, who won the regular season in 2007 and were runners-up for the league championship. The Cubs lost that first game in extra innings and then tied the second game of the season to the Angels. So after two games the Cubs were still winless. Then the Cubs went on a run of 9 straight wins as they started things off with another extra-inning game as they beat the Angels two nights after there tie game. During the nine-game winning streak the Cubs outscored their opponents by a score of 74-11.
Following the winning streak the Cubs hit a rough patch as they went 3-5-1 in their next nine games. In those nine games the Cubs scored 34 runs and allowed 34 runs. Then they were able to straighten things out winning four in a row, outscoring their opponents 26-5, before tie and then a loss and then ended the season winning six in a row, outscoring their opponents 44-5.
In the end the Cubs finished the regular season with a 22-7-3 record, coming in second place behind the Orioles. The Cubs scored a league high 211 runs and gave up 92 runs, second least in the league.
The playoffs though were another story for the Cubs. For the most part during the regular season the Cubs were very solid in all aspects of the game, from hitting to pitching to fielding. However, in the playoffs all aspects fell apart for them. The Cubs were swept in their first round series with the Tigers losing game 1, 5-2, and game 2, 2-1.
Evan Dawley and Tom Girodat were behind the plate. Randy Nettles saw time at third and first. Steve Girodat took over full-time at second base and Jon VanSon again was the team’s shortstop. Mike Dawson was limited in the field but did play some third base. In the outfield Jason Rider was again solid in center and Dave Reitman was in right.
On the mound Dave Theriault returned for a few starts with Chris Johnson back in the rotation. Mike Dawson was limited in his mound appearances due to his knee surgery in the off-season.
However, they did lose their top two pitchers from last year. Ryan Drews was out because of injury and Yuki Minigawa was not available due to work and school. Fortunately though, the Cubs were able to add three new starters to the staff. Kris Krstich came over from the Pontiac Red Sox and become the team’s new number one starter. He threw over 64 innings for the Cubs, the second most in team history. Steve Gordon was came on to the team and provided the team with some great starts. Also new to the staff was an old face. Chris Baroli, the Cubs former shortstop, converted to a pitcher and threw some great games for the Cubs. Unfortunately though Baroli had some arm trouble late in the year which limited his effectiveness and availability.
The team also added a couple other newcomers. Matt Cook was a nice addition to the team providing the team with some speed and utility in the field. Cook played five different positions for the Cubs from the corner outfield positions to third and second and catcher. Jimmy Roehm came to the team having not played organized baseball for a number of years; however he was able to pick things back up right away. Roehm was a backup but quickly earned playing time with his bat and his play in the field. Unfortunately, less than half way through the year Roehm separated his shoulder diving back to second and tore his labrum and was out for the year. Also back with the team in a part time role was Jason Westphal. Westphal started the year as a pitcher but arm trouble ended that comeback quickly but he was able to play in the field and hit with some effectiveness in a backup role.
To start the season the Cubs faced off against the Braves, who won the regular season in 2007 and were runners-up for the league championship. The Cubs lost that first game in extra innings and then tied the second game of the season to the Angels. So after two games the Cubs were still winless. Then the Cubs went on a run of 9 straight wins as they started things off with another extra-inning game as they beat the Angels two nights after there tie game. During the nine-game winning streak the Cubs outscored their opponents by a score of 74-11.
Following the winning streak the Cubs hit a rough patch as they went 3-5-1 in their next nine games. In those nine games the Cubs scored 34 runs and allowed 34 runs. Then they were able to straighten things out winning four in a row, outscoring their opponents 26-5, before tie and then a loss and then ended the season winning six in a row, outscoring their opponents 44-5.
In the end the Cubs finished the regular season with a 22-7-3 record, coming in second place behind the Orioles. The Cubs scored a league high 211 runs and gave up 92 runs, second least in the league.
The playoffs though were another story for the Cubs. For the most part during the regular season the Cubs were very solid in all aspects of the game, from hitting to pitching to fielding. However, in the playoffs all aspects fell apart for them. The Cubs were swept in their first round series with the Tigers losing game 1, 5-2, and game 2, 2-1.
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