McKinney off to strong start
April 21, 1997
WASHINGTON D.C.— The Washington Bobwhites may not be off to the start they were wishing for, but firstbaseman Neil McKinney is off to a fantastic start to 1997.
McKinney was named the Johnson League Player of the Week for the first week of the season after hitting .467 (14-for-30) with three home runs and four RBI, and he hasn't stopped hitting since. McKinney is now hitting .368 with seven home runs, 16 RBI and 14 runs scored in 68 at bats over 18 games on the young season. He is averaging a home run once every 9.71 at bats and is currently on pace to collect 225 hits, 45 doubles, 63 home runs, 144 RBI and socre 126 times.
"People forget what he did for us last year," said Bobwhites manager Rip Torn. "The kid had 26 home runs and 89 RBI as a 22-year-old last season, and he's only going to get better."
"I'm seeing the ball really well right now," said McKinney. "It's early and the pitchers are still getting going and I'm sure they'll make their adjustments to try and make those outs and try to keep the ball in the park. So long as I can adjust to their adjustments, things should be fine."