MVP
Before I get started, I’d like to say that there were many terrific performances in the California League this past season. For the MVP award, there were basically five candidates: Jack Cust, OF, High Desert Mavericks (Diamondbacks); Jacques Landry, 3B, Modesto A’s (A’s); Chin-Feng Chen, OF, San Bernardino Stampede (Dodgers); Randey Dorame, LHP, San Bernardino Stampede (Dodgers); and Todd Mensik, 1B, Visalia Oaks (A’s):
PLAYER AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS SLG OBP E *Cust, Jack,OF .334 125 455 107 152 42 3 32 112 96 145 1 4 .651 .450 12 Landry, Ja,3B .311 133 508 92 158 46 6 27 111 47 128 18 4 .585 .373 32 Chen, Chin,OF .316 131 510 98 161 22 10 31 123 75 129 31 7 .580 .404 6 *Mensik, To,1B .291 134 505 93 147 29 4 29 123 79 114 5 1 .537 .394 11 PITCHER W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WP AVG *Dorame, Randey 14 3 2.51 24 24 1 1 0 154.1 130 52 43 9 3 37 159 7 .230
Cust had an incredible season but played half his games in a very good hitters’ park. That doesn’t diminish what he did but it does need to be considered. Landry and Mensik had similar seasons but Landry played a tougher position. Chen basically dominated in his first season of pro ball in North America. For a guy to enter into an unfamiliar culture and do what he did on the field is simply amazing. Teammate Dorame had a fine season in his own right, but I’m going with Chen.
Pitcher of the Year
For best pitcher of the year, there were four legitimate candidates, Rick Guttormson, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Padres); Brian Lawrence, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Padres); Marcos Castillo, San Bernardino Stampede (Dodgers); and Dorame:
PITCHER W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WP AVG Guttormson, Ri 14 8 3.72 28 28 1 0 0 174.1 165 83 72 15 9 36 125 6 .248 Lawrence, Brian 12 8 3.39 27 27 4 3 0 175.1 178 72 66 6 10 30 166 7 .265 Castillo, Marco 14 9 4.10 27 27 1 1 0 167.0 182 90 76 14 8 48 130 6 .277 *Dorame, Randey 14 3 2.51 24 24 1 1 0 154.1 130 52 43 9 3 37 159 7 .230
Guttormson and Lawrence pitched very well in 1999, and Castillo threw a perfect game but this award clearly goes to Dorame, who put up remarkable numbers.
Best Power Hitter
While Chen takes home the MVP, this award goes to Cust. His all-around game isn’t as strong as Chen’s, but home field notwithstanding, a .651 slugging percentage is mighty impressive. He and Landry were the only players with 500 plate appearances in the California League who had at least half their hits go for extra bases.
Team of the Year
Without question, this title belongs to the Modesto A’s, which had identical 44-26 records in both the first half and the second half of the season, each good for best in the league. They also outscored their opposition at an impressive 872-734 clip.
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