Do you remember
THAT TIME the pitching was so bad in Madison that Wilson tried to refuse to hand out an Award for it? Only he did hand out an award and gave it to a guy that wasn't supposed to get it? No!? Well, do you recall the fact that several high profile members of the staff
DECIDED TO RETIRE because of Wilson's antics at the team banquet over the issuing of the award? Well, if you don't remember that you should. And if you do remember it, then bear this in mind: THOSE GUYS WERE A HELLUVA LOT BETTER THAN WHO IS GETTING IT FOR PORTLAND!
I mean, let's be serious here for a second. We didn't have a guy post a winning record. No one had an ERA lower than 4.33 in the staff. Only one guy had double digit wins. "Do we have to?" was Wilson's response when informed the team needed to hand out an award. "It'll be a yearly update for our hall of fame and museum" said team owner David Wallace, "we want to keep track of our yearly best players."
"I get that, but you said best players. People will look at these guys down the road and laugh at us."
Nonetheless, the Lumberjacks did issue a top pitcher award.
The award goes to
Manuel Soliz, one of only two guys to start every game in which he appeared this season. In 31 starts, Soliz appeared in a team high 193.1 innings this season and led the team with that 4.33 ERA. His 1.37 WHIP was the second best on the team and his 1.7 WAR was also the second best. I really can't find much more to say about the guy.
Well, there is the fact he was a Rule 5 pick-up drafted in the second round of the process. Thus meaning both of our Top Pitchers this season came to Portland via a Rule 5 Selection. Here's to finding some more unwanted guys next season!!
