Much like last year, the Bobbies managed to ease the pain of a horrible season with a decent final month, going 15-11 and ending the year with 7 straight victories. The club finished at 70-92, one win worse than last season and identical to the 2000 campaign. Much like the 1991 Detroit Tigers, the team reliably hit the cover off the ball, but not much else. And aside from the lucky fans in the outfield bleachers catching all those souvenirs, all too often everyone left the stadium with brows furrowed, if they even bothered to show up at all. Lets hope there is some talent left for the 7th overall pick next season, eh?
Starter of the Month
Ron "I'm Kind of a Big Deal" Burgundy
A big deal indeed! In what is surely the best month by a Washington pitcher in many years, Burgundy finished up the year incredibly hot, going 5-0 with a 1.54 ERA in 46 innings. He was the club's most reliable starter after he returned from an early season shoulder injury, and only gave up 6 homers in his nearly 150 innings of work.
Reliever of the Month
James Endres
A pretty horrendous July has negatively skewed his overall numbers this season, but outside of that disasterous month, Endres has been money. That continued in September, as the now 27 year old righty racked up 8 more saves while only being scored upon once in his 11 outings for the month. He has now recorded 130 saves in the four seasons he has been the Bobs' full time closer, not bad considering his team hasn't even sniffed .500 during his tenure.
Infielder of the Month
Darius Campbell, Jr.
Another great month for the sweet swinging 1B, September saw him hit .343/.388/.537 and drive in 17 runs. This year, in only 335 AB, Campbell has hit .322 with 18 HR and 53 RBI, and he seems a good bet to continue those numbers as he plays full time next season. Neil McKinney may be awesome, but King Darius is more than ready to fill his shoes.
Outfielder of the Month
"Jimmy" Wilson
Who else could it be?? The 25 year old slugger Hit 10 more dingers, drove in 20, and recorded a 1.027 OPS for the month as he passed the injured Nigel Halime to take the 2004 MBBA Home Run Crown with 55 bombs. In even better news, he took 11 more walks and K'd 10 less times than he did as a rookie in 2003. What a great year from a great athlete and a fan favorite.
INJURY REPORT:
Nasir Jones has just been cleared by his neurologist to resume baseball activities after suffering a concussion on June 4. He will report to Winter ball during the offseason and looks to be the Bobs' primary infield backup next season.
