The Yellow Springs Nine PR office released an announcement today that longtime franchise catcher Sam Brewington would be enshrined in the team’s Hall of Fame. Bewington, now 53, broke in with the Phoenix wing of the franchise in 2001 after being a 5th round draft pick four seasons earlier. He played with the club for ten seasons, then finished his career with stints in California, New Orleans, and Las Vegas, as well as a brief flirtation with European baseball.
He hit 264 homers (157 with the franchise), played in three All-Star games, and was a guy who sat on the fringe of the BBA’s Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, however, the phone never rang for him. Instead, he's been busy running a flooring business in his native home in Vermont.
“He was a dangerous hitter,” said current pitching coach Robert LaLoosh, who played with Brewington in 2009. “A guy who understood the plate both as a hitter and a catcher. He was a great person to throw to.”
While with the Nine, Brewington hit .300 (third on the franchise’s leader board), and was on base at a .382 clip (also third). Hit 36.3 WAR while with the team is, naturally, third best overall.
Ron Collins, the team’s general manager spoke excitedly about the event, which the team intends to hold on Opening Day of next year. “I spoke with Sam over the phone just a bit ago, and he’s as excited as I am. I can’t wait to meet him in person. At the end of the day, you’ll find Sam Brewington all over the leaderboard of this organization, so I can’t think of a better guy to be in our institution.”
