GARCIA & SHANKS COP POSTSEASON ALL - STAR HONORS
Monday, October 5, 2009
Blue Crabs Shortstop & Leftfielder Named To '09 All - Atlantic League Team
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James Shanks |
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The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball has announced its 2009 Postseason All-Star team, and two Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are among the honored. Shortstop Travis Garcia, and outfielder James Shanks have been named to the all-league squad. The league has also announced its choices for Ballpark of The Year, General Manager, Manager, and Pitcher of The Year, and the 2009 Atlantic League Most Valuable Player.
2009 was truly a remarkable year for Travis Garcia, as he was a key component in the Blue Crabs first half Liberty Division Championship. At the season’s mid-way point, his contract was purchased from Southern Maryland by the Seattle Mariners, and he finished the Double-A Southern League season with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, playing in 44 games at shortstop and third base socking four homers with 22 RBI. At the request of Garcia, he was granted the opportunity to return to Southern Maryland for the final month of the Atlantic League regular season and playoffs. In 79 games total with the Blue Crabs, the eight-year pro batted an excellent.353 with 16 home runs, 63 RBI, 19 doubles and a triple.
Upon being named the Atlantic League’s top shortstop, Garcia expressed his appreciation to Southern Maryland and his excitement about the future of his career.
“Hopefully I can move up with the Mariners, but I always know I have a place to play here in Southern Maryland,” remarked Garcia following the Blue Crabs defeat in four games to the Somerset Patriots in this year’s Atlantic League Championship Series.
In addition to Garcia’s impressive exploits was leftfielder James Shanks, who enjoyed a career year in 2009. A season ago Shanks appeared in 82 games with Southern Maryland, and took his game to the next level in 2009. Shanks appeared in all but eight Blue Crabs games this season, batting .293 with 17 home runs and 93 RBI, which tied him for third overall in the Atlantic League. His home run and RBI totals were both career highs in his 11th pro season. His 132 games played were also his professional high.
Earlier this season, Shanks acknowledged how close the Blue Crabs clubhouse has become, and how it played into his eagerness to return to Southern Maryland.
“Even though we’re all over the place, a lot of these guys in here talk in the offseason, and we talk about goals and wanting to win a championship,” said Shanks at the season’s beginning. “This is really the only place in this league I wanted to play.”
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs congratulate both of their postseason all-star selections, who were both crucial components to the team’s first playoff appearance in just its second season of existence. The organization would also like extend congratulations to Adam Lorber of the Camden Riversharks who has been named Atlantic League General Manager of the Year, Sparky Lyle of the Somerset Patriots, the circuit’s Manager of the Year, Jim Magrane of the Somerset Patriots, the Pitcher of the Year (15-4, 2.70 ERA) and Ray Navarrete of the Long Island Ducks (.309, 25 HR, 96 RBI), who has been honored with the 2009 Atlantic League Most Valuable Player award.
The Ballpark of the Year honor went to the Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish, who play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard in downtown Bridgeport.
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Travis Garcia
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