Player Spotlight - Birmingham's Dexter Sheehan

[bigmike13]

On most teams, the leader is a grizzled old veteran who has been through the wars and survived, but now on the down hill side of his career and just looking to impart a little experience to the young members of his ball club. 27 year old Dexter Sheehan doesn't quite fit into that category.

As the unquestioned leader of the Birmingham bandits in only his fourth year with the big club, Dexter has proven to be everything a leader should be as he carries this young team through the seasons. And as the accolades pile up for Sheehan, the pieces around him continue to be transformed into what will hopefully become a championship caliber ensemble.

Born in Cincinnati, OH Dexter and his family moved to Ragland AL when he was 12. After a standout career at Ragland High School, Dexter was drafted by the home town Birmingham Bandits with the 10th overall pick in 1999. Dexter skyrocketed through the Bandits organization, and was part of the September call ups in 2003 where he batted .323 in 19 games and showed a glimpse of the future promise he held.

Dexter shot out of the gate in his first full season with the club ending the season with a .301 average with 24 dingers and 110 RBI's. After missing the 2005 season with a torn PCL during spring training, Dexter picked up right where he left off in 2006 with a .347 average and 36 dingers. Management rewarded Dexter with a 5 year contract extension and haven't looked back.

Dexter currently holds a .312 career average with 145 home runs through 4 seasons.

[recte44]

[bigmike13]

Link added.

[felipe]

he sure bumped up nicely; not bad for a third rder