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Welcome to the Season 17 of the USMLB.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Rookie of the Year Award

National League Rookie of the Year


Sal Moore proved that he was ready for the majors this season as he had one of the finest rookie campaigns in the National League. Moore got 11 out of the 32 votes this season. Moore led the National League in runs with 140, was tied for the league lead in doubles with 49 and lead the league in triples with 14. His 69 stolen bases was good for second best in the National League. The 24 year old rookie only has great thing ahead for him as he looks like one of the best players for the future of the league as he has a rare combation of power and speed that any team would love to have. Moore was a big reason for helping the Bucks enjoy there first playoff run this season.


American League Rookie of the Year

Ralph Middlebrook made a hugh jump from Double-A to the majors this season and pitched extreme well for the Highlanders this season. Middlebrook got 13 out of the 32 votes this season. Middlebrook won 17 games in his rookie campaign and ended the year going 6-0, with a 4.13, with only 20 walks against 40 strikeouts in his last 12 games during the season. Middlebrooke really looks like he might become a great pitcher in the future as this guy just doesn't know how to lose as he only lost 13 games during his three year stint in the minor leagues and now with only 3 losses during his rookie season as he may not always be a dominant every game but he will keep you team in every game.

Cy Young Award

American Leauge Cy Young Award


Cliff Sheets jumped from a great pitcher to one of the elite pitchers in the American League this season by winning his first Cy Young Award. Sheets got 18 out of the 32 votes this season. Sheets enjoyed one of his best season in the big leagues this year which helped the Hitmen not only win the American League South division but getting the team to there first 100 win season. Sheets set career records in wins (21) and strikeouts (216). Sheets has enjoyed a winning record every season expect for his rookie season. This is also his fourth straight season with more then 200 innings pitched and his second straight season with his earned run average less then 4. Fisher was also invited to the Allstar game this season.


National League Cy Young Award

Wilson Fisher will win his first Cy Young award this season as he enjoyed his greatest season as a pro this year. Fisher got 14 out of the 32 votes this season. Fisher set career records in wins (21), strikeouts (232), WHIP (1.03) and earned run average (2.76). This award as to be very sweet for Fisher as it looked like after the third season that he was just going to become an average pitcher as he's only gone 22-23, 5.53 ERA, giving up 230 earned runs the last two seasons. Hopefully this will be the start of a wonderful career for Fisher as he has pushed himself into the elite group of National League pitchers after this wonderful season.

MVP Awards

National League MVP


Erik West once again will enjoy winning the MVP award for the National League after winning it during the third season. West got 15 out of the 32 votes this season. West probably enjoyed his best season in the majors this season believe it or not. He set career high in hits (216), doubles (37), batting average (.337), on-base percentage (.405), slugging percentage (.671) and OPS (1.076). The MVP isn't the only award that West will recieve this season as the catcher was part of the Allstar game, winning the National League Silver Slugger for the catcher position as well. He was a big help in getting the Fisher Cats to the top of the National League North division and getting the Fisher Cats to the National League Championship game this season.


American League MVP

Eric Sisk will once again hold the MVP award for the American League as he won the same award during season three. Sisk recieved 18 out of the 32 votes this season. Sisk enjoyed his fourth straight season with more then sixty homeruns, over .300 batting average, over 150 RBI's and over 100 runs, also this will be his third straight season with more then 200 hits and more then 20 stolen bases. The 26 year old right-fielder has already become one of the most feared hitters not only in the American League but in the whole league that no one want's to face any time during the game. Sisk was a big reason for helping the Bobcats make it has the last wildcard team this season.

World Series Game 1 Recap

Game 1 of the World Series went to the Monterrey Stars 3-0. Carmine Taft was on fire pitching 8 innings, striking out 8 while only giving up three hits. Eric Flynn started the scoring with a RBI single in the second inning after Mike Bonds lead off the inning with a double. Bonds then picked up his own RBI with a bases loaded single in the third that scored Taft but a great thrown by Left-Fielder Audrey Hutchinson nailed Ricardo Ramirez at the plate. If Cookie Pena didn't allow a ball to pass him that would have been the only damage in the inning Brain Turner scored on the passed ball. From that inning on the pitchers shut everything down has both teams only combined for 5 more hits after that inning. The two time defending Cy Young award winner Phil Nitkowski pitched well but the early hits hurt him as he went 6 innings allowed 2 earned runs, 7 hits and 5 strikeouts. Horacio Mieses shut the door for the Stars with pitching a score less ninth inning.

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