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The Philadelphia Freedom organization is going to try to start a new tradition of handing out Regular Season team awards to the best position player, best pitcher and best newcomer (either trade acquisition, Free Agent, or rookie who makes the most impact) at the end of each season. The honorees will be chosen by club management and bestowed on the recipients during the first round of the playoffs each year. This year’s winners are:
Most Outstanding Player
Well, we have a tie. I know that’s a fairly unstable way to start out a new tradition, but picking only 1 recipient for 1988 was too difficult.
Geoff Scott
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table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>G</th><th>AB</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>HR</th><th>RBI</th><th>R</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>OPS</th><th>RC/27</th><th>VORP</th></tr> <tr><td>141</td><td>534</td><td>169</td><td>41</td><td>9</td><td>11</td><td>68</td><td>101</td><td>113</td><td>64</td><td>.316</td><td>.437</td><td>.489</td><td>.926</td><td>8.41</td><td>73.5</td></tr></table>
Had he not missed the last month of the season he probably wins this award outright. Scott turned 23 early on in the ’88 season and we felt like this year would be a breakout year for the young SS. He did not disappoint. By the time Scott is done we hope he is able to leave his mark all over the Freedom record book and he got off to a good start this season. A few key achievements (despite playing in only 141 games):
- Set the franchise record for BB in a single season with 113
- Topped 100 runs scored (101 to be exact), 5th highest total in team history
- Set the franchise record for single season OBP at .437
- tied for the 3rd highest single season OPS in team history at .926. (The only guys with higher figures - Mel Woodbury in 1987 and Desi Rochs with his magical 1983 season)
- Set the franchise mark for single season OPS+ at 198
- Set the franchise record for highest BA in a season at .317
- made his first All-Star team (selected as a starter)
- hit a personal best 11 HRs
Our scouting department believes there is still more growth to come from Scott, particularly in the power department. We’re not sure what the top end is, but even if he never advances past his current skillset, he’s probably the best player on our team. If he could put together a fully healthy season we think he could challenge for a Stout Slugger award or two before he calls it a career.
Jim Newlin
Our Co-MOPlayer award goes to the rock of our ’88 team, Jim Newlin. We didn’t quite know what to expect out of Newlin coming into this season, but we were hoping for better than his ’87 campaign. He certainly delivered. He was asked to play all over the infield due to various injuries and filled in admirably each time. He even got 1 start at C for some bizarre reason and had 6 put outs in that game.
<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}
</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>G</th><th>AB</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>HR</th><th>RBI</th><th>R</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>OPS</th><th>RC/27</th><th>VORP</th></tr> <tr><td>158</td><td>623</td><td>191</td><td>44</td><td>3</td><td>21</td><td>126</td><td>98</td><td>64</td><td>30</td><td>.307</td><td>.372</td><td>.488</td><td>.860</td><td>6.53</td><td>67.4</td></tr></table>
Season highlights:
- Set the single season Freedom mark for RBI with 126
- Led the team in HR (21)
- Led the team in TB (304)
- Led the team in hits (191)
- Led the team in EBH (68)
- Second on the team in Runs Scored (98)
- Second on the team in OBP (.372)
- Second on the team in SLG% (.488, .001 points behind Scott)
- Second on the team in OPS (.860)
Most Outstanding Pitcher
Ben Irvin
There was nothing flashy about Irvin in ’88, but at the end of the year when you go back and tally up everyone’s stats, he seems to rise above all others on our staff.
<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}
</style><table class="tableizer-table"><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>G</th><th>GS</th><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>IP</th><th>HA</th><th>HR</th><th>R</th><th>ER</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>ERA</th><th>WHIP</th><th>K/9</th><th>VORP</th><th>QS</th><th>QS%</th><th>CG</th></tr> <tr> <td>31</td><td>31</td><td>14</td><td>9</td><td>205.2</td><td>174</td><td>11</td><td>80</td><td>73</td><td>68</td><td>157</td><td>3.19</td><td>1.18</td><td>6.9</td><td>30.3</td><td>23</td><td>.742</td><td>1</td></tr></table>
Honestly, this award could have gone to a number of different guys. There was a lot of value elsewhere on the staff (Tim Nathan throwing 233.0 innings like he’s a 28 year old workhorse, Joe Arredondo leading the team in wins with 15, Arredondo’s .714 winning pct, etc.), but when you add everything up, Irvin had the best year on our staff. He gave us quality starts in 23 of 31 starts. He gave us a chance to win almost a full 75% of the time he went to the hill.
- Tied for team lead in Quality Starts (23)
- Led team in QS% (.742)
- Second on the team in Wins (14)
- Second on the team in pitcher VORP (30.3)
- Second on the team in strikeouts (157)
Newcomer of the Year Award
This award could get a bit dicey going forward since there may be years where no one really fits in this category, but we’re going to give it a go.
Joe Seagarra
Is it possible to award someone an in-season comeback player of the year award? If so, Seagarra would win that too. In an effort to get younger over the offseason (Woodbury, Rochs and Fortin gone) Seagarra was brought in as a key piece of the “youth movement” puzzle. At just 26 years of age to start the season, we felt we were adding a veteran presence (he was nearing his free agency year) while still focusing on our movement to get younger. Seagarra was coming off of a devastating eye injury suffered in the ’87 season, so management had their fingers crossed that he could return to the level of play he had achieved prior to the injury. He got off to a slow start (as we had been warned about), but we patiently waited, hoping that he could turn it on in the second half. He rewarded our patience by becoming an offensive force in the second half.
<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th> </th><th>AB</th><th>R</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>HR</th><th>RBI</th><th>TB</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>HBP</th><th>SF</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>OPS</th></tr> <tr><td>1st Half</td><td>276</td><td>30</td><td>64</td><td>24</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>37</td><td>100</td><td>33</td><td>43</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>.232</td><td>.323</td><td>.362</td><td>.685</td></tr> <tr><td>2nd Half</td><td>300</td><td>42</td><td>97</td><td>21</td><td>2</td><td>12</td><td>68</td><td>158</td><td>42</td><td>38</td><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>.323</td><td>.411</td><td>.527</td><td>.937</td></tr> <tr><td>Season Total</td><td>576</td><td>72</td><td>161</td><td>45</td><td>2</td><td>16</td><td>105</td><td>258</td><td>75</td><td>81</td><td>13</td><td>11</td><td>.280</td><td>.369</td><td>.448</td><td>.817</td></tr></table>
- Led the team in doubles (45)
- Second in RBI (105)
- Second in extra base hits (63)
- Second in HR (16)
LINK
Most Outstanding Player
Well, we have a tie. I know that’s a fairly unstable way to start out a new tradition, but picking only 1 recipient for 1988 was too difficult.
Geoff Scott
<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>G</th><th>AB</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>HR</th><th>RBI</th><th>R</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>OPS</th><th>RC/27</th><th>VORP</th></tr> <tr><td>141</td><td>534</td><td>169</td><td>41</td><td>9</td><td>11</td><td>68</td><td>101</td><td>113</td><td>64</td><td>.316</td><td>.437</td><td>.489</td><td>.926</td><td>8.41</td><td>73.5</td></tr></table>
Had he not missed the last month of the season he probably wins this award outright. Scott turned 23 early on in the ’88 season and we felt like this year would be a breakout year for the young SS. He did not disappoint. By the time Scott is done we hope he is able to leave his mark all over the Freedom record book and he got off to a good start this season. A few key achievements (despite playing in only 141 games):
- Set the franchise record for BB in a single season with 113
- Topped 100 runs scored (101 to be exact), 5th highest total in team history
- Set the franchise record for single season OBP at .437
- tied for the 3rd highest single season OPS in team history at .926. (The only guys with higher figures - Mel Woodbury in 1987 and Desi Rochs with his magical 1983 season)
- Set the franchise mark for single season OPS+ at 198
- Set the franchise record for highest BA in a season at .317
- made his first All-Star team (selected as a starter)
- hit a personal best 11 HRs
Our scouting department believes there is still more growth to come from Scott, particularly in the power department. We’re not sure what the top end is, but even if he never advances past his current skillset, he’s probably the best player on our team. If he could put together a fully healthy season we think he could challenge for a Stout Slugger award or two before he calls it a career.
Jim Newlin
Our Co-MOPlayer award goes to the rock of our ’88 team, Jim Newlin. We didn’t quite know what to expect out of Newlin coming into this season, but we were hoping for better than his ’87 campaign. He certainly delivered. He was asked to play all over the infield due to various injuries and filled in admirably each time. He even got 1 start at C for some bizarre reason and had 6 put outs in that game.
<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}
</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>G</th><th>AB</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>HR</th><th>RBI</th><th>R</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>OPS</th><th>RC/27</th><th>VORP</th></tr> <tr><td>158</td><td>623</td><td>191</td><td>44</td><td>3</td><td>21</td><td>126</td><td>98</td><td>64</td><td>30</td><td>.307</td><td>.372</td><td>.488</td><td>.860</td><td>6.53</td><td>67.4</td></tr></table>
Season highlights:
- Set the single season Freedom mark for RBI with 126
- Led the team in HR (21)
- Led the team in TB (304)
- Led the team in hits (191)
- Led the team in EBH (68)
- Second on the team in Runs Scored (98)
- Second on the team in OBP (.372)
- Second on the team in SLG% (.488, .001 points behind Scott)
- Second on the team in OPS (.860)
Most Outstanding Pitcher
Ben Irvin
There was nothing flashy about Irvin in ’88, but at the end of the year when you go back and tally up everyone’s stats, he seems to rise above all others on our staff.
<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}
</style><table class="tableizer-table"><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>G</th><th>GS</th><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>IP</th><th>HA</th><th>HR</th><th>R</th><th>ER</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>ERA</th><th>WHIP</th><th>K/9</th><th>VORP</th><th>QS</th><th>QS%</th><th>CG</th></tr> <tr> <td>31</td><td>31</td><td>14</td><td>9</td><td>205.2</td><td>174</td><td>11</td><td>80</td><td>73</td><td>68</td><td>157</td><td>3.19</td><td>1.18</td><td>6.9</td><td>30.3</td><td>23</td><td>.742</td><td>1</td></tr></table>
Honestly, this award could have gone to a number of different guys. There was a lot of value elsewhere on the staff (Tim Nathan throwing 233.0 innings like he’s a 28 year old workhorse, Joe Arredondo leading the team in wins with 15, Arredondo’s .714 winning pct, etc.), but when you add everything up, Irvin had the best year on our staff. He gave us quality starts in 23 of 31 starts. He gave us a chance to win almost a full 75% of the time he went to the hill.
- Tied for team lead in Quality Starts (23)
- Led team in QS% (.742)
- Second on the team in Wins (14)
- Second on the team in pitcher VORP (30.3)
- Second on the team in strikeouts (157)
Newcomer of the Year Award
This award could get a bit dicey going forward since there may be years where no one really fits in this category, but we’re going to give it a go.
Joe Seagarra
Is it possible to award someone an in-season comeback player of the year award? If so, Seagarra would win that too. In an effort to get younger over the offseason (Woodbury, Rochs and Fortin gone) Seagarra was brought in as a key piece of the “youth movement” puzzle. At just 26 years of age to start the season, we felt we were adding a veteran presence (he was nearing his free agency year) while still focusing on our movement to get younger. Seagarra was coming off of a devastating eye injury suffered in the ’87 season, so management had their fingers crossed that he could return to the level of play he had achieved prior to the injury. He got off to a slow start (as we had been warned about), but we patiently waited, hoping that he could turn it on in the second half. He rewarded our patience by becoming an offensive force in the second half.
<style type="text/css">
table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}</style><table class="tableizer-table">
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th> </th><th>AB</th><th>R</th><th>H</th><th>2B</th><th>3B</th><th>HR</th><th>RBI</th><th>TB</th><th>BB</th><th>K</th><th>HBP</th><th>SF</th><th>AVG</th><th>OBP</th><th>SLG</th><th>OPS</th></tr> <tr><td>1st Half</td><td>276</td><td>30</td><td>64</td><td>24</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>37</td><td>100</td><td>33</td><td>43</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>.232</td><td>.323</td><td>.362</td><td>.685</td></tr> <tr><td>2nd Half</td><td>300</td><td>42</td><td>97</td><td>21</td><td>2</td><td>12</td><td>68</td><td>158</td><td>42</td><td>38</td><td>6</td><td>5</td><td>.323</td><td>.411</td><td>.527</td><td>.937</td></tr> <tr><td>Season Total</td><td>576</td><td>72</td><td>161</td><td>45</td><td>2</td><td>16</td><td>105</td><td>258</td><td>75</td><td>81</td><td>13</td><td>11</td><td>.280</td><td>.369</td><td>.448</td><td>.817</td></tr></table>
- Led the team in doubles (45)
- Second in RBI (105)
- Second in extra base hits (63)
- Second in HR (16)
LINK