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Curt Dodson
3B - MIS
.308 - 11 HR - 74 RBI - 38 2B
1st Place - Curt Dodson (54) - MIS
2nd Place - Pete Hudder (27) - MAI
3rd Place - Manny Rivera (24) - HAR
Others Receiving Votes:
- Don McGuire - MAI
- Kifle Al-Sadat - DEN
- Manny Vasquez - MAI
- Norm Peterson - HYU
- George Birley - SIN
- Kifle Al-Sadat - DEN
- Manny Vasquez - MAI
- Norm Peterson - HYU
- George Birley - SIN
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When the Mississippi Storm made Curt Dodson the #1 overall pick in 1985, BLB fans across the country engaged in bitter debates over the value of University of Texas infielder. Many thought Dodson was a nice player, but just wasn't #1 overall pick quality and that pitchers like Chet Stephens and Pancho Herrerra were the more logical choice for a buidling organization like the Storm. Dodson did little the squelch the negative press when he fractured his elbow just 15 days into his professional career and spend the next 7 month in intense rehab. Unfazed, he came back in '86 and but up very respectable numbers in AA.
When Opening Day '87 came, Dodson found himself breaking spring training with the big team and slotted in as the Storm's everyday 3B. He responded right out of the gate going .360/.395/.500 in April and bringing home the DL Rookie of the Month Award - an award he'd bring home again in May. Though his numbers dipped a little late in the season, Dodson looks like a legit everyday player and a great cog in the Mississippi machine that made it's first playoff appearance in 1987.
While Dodson was the clear #1 in the voting, three players finished very close for 2nd - 4th. When the votes were counted, it was Maine's Pete Hudder who took the silver with his impressive 13-4 record for a Guide's rotation that seems to have an endless supply of talent. Hudder had the 2nd most 1st place votes with 4, one more than his teammate and 4th place finisher Don McGuire.
Finishing in 3rd was Hartford Shortstop Manny Rivera. The 26 year-old rookie was drafted way back in 1982 with little fanfare. Due to limited scouting of the Dominican born Rivera, Hartford managed to grab him in the 12th round. Though never appearing on Baseball America's Top Prospects list until after he made his BLB debut in September of last seaon, Rivera was a constant producer at the minor league level and earned his chance through hard work. Stack his numbers side by side with Dodson, and it's easy to argue that Rivera may have once again been a victim of flying under the radar. But not for long.
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