MInk, D-Rays
2009 Breakdown
Mink had a "Much Improved" 2009. Mink increased his offensive numbers, pitched pretty
well ( although his record didnt show it ) and almost made the playoffs! Offensively Mink
showed some improvement in 2009. Although he still had a knack for swinging at a lot of bad pitches,
he made a lot more contact and had a little more patience. He hit 3 more HR's than his Rookie year. He played less games and
still almost had the same amount of walks. Mink also managed to only strike out 104 times compared to his 247 record
setting performance of 2008. On the mound Mink lost 5 less games and still managed to almost match his win total
from 08'. He was in a lot more of his games as well. MInk just struggled with closing games out.
2009 High Point
Won the 2009 Most Improved player award. Hit his 30th career HR. Hit a go ahead HR in
the top of the 6th to win 7-6 over Tucker on May 10th.
Gave up No-hits and lost on walk-off walk 1-0 against Dan L. He
is the only player to throw a No-hit, "Unofficial No-Hitter" and lose. Lead the league
in K's.
Playoff Chase
Well although a 2-9 record isnt a great one he was infact 1 game out of
the playoffs. With a fall sports schedule that kept him away for some of the later part of the year Mink couldnt get
a win and get in. He lost 6 straight games after a 1-1 start. During that streach
he was No-Hit by Dave V., and lost 4 of those games by less than 2 runs including a 7 inning loss to the Champ Dan L. The
end of the losing streak was the "Unofficial No-Hitter" he threw where he walked 4 straight batters in the bottom of
the 6th and lost 1-0. After all that he still was only 1 game out. He finshed with an 0-9 record vs the top 8!
2010 Outlook
2010 should bring more of the same for Mink on the Offensive end, small
improvements. If he can continue to be a little more patient and start to just swing at strikes he will start to see
more contact. With 17 HR's last year i think we could see get above 20 HR's this year. As far as the pitching
end of things.... 2 years in row he finished 1 game out of the playoffs. 2009 showed that Mink can pitch he just needs
to learn a few more pitches and how to place them. He lost 4 of his 11 starts by 2 runs or less and 2 more of them
by 4 runs. There was 6 games he could of wonthan lost. If he can finish games and win those close ones look
for 3-5 more wins. If he can do that then he may find himself getting into the playoffs instead of looking in from the
outside!
HS: You went from Sultan of Suck to most
Improved, what does it mean to you to win this award? And how do you make sure you don’t go back to sucking this season?
Mink: Well it means a lot to me that i jump from being the worst player to being a most
improved player. The way i plan not to suck this coming season is by learning new pitches and getting a lot better playing
in the field. If we look at last year i didn't really move as much in the field.
HS: You missed the playoff’s
2 years in a row by 1 game, each year Zack got in and you didn’t. What do you need to do to get into the playoffs this
year?
Mink: Well the way i see it is that the games that Zack won to get in front
of me in the playoffs are the games that i wasn't there for. So to answer the question i will have to
be there to try to intimidate Zack. I also need to win more.
HS: What goals do you have for the 2010 season?
Mink: Well my goals for this season is to win more games, get better at batting, and don't
let Zack mess me up at all.
HS: Last year you threw an “Unofficial”
No-Hitter. You are the only person to give up no hits and lose. You walked 4 straight guys and lose by walk off. How did you
feel after a loss like that?
Mink: Well i felt like most people when they lose an important
game that people will remember, angry, frustrated, upset, and sad all in one.
HS: What do you think you need to improve on the most
entering this season?
Mink: Well looking back from the past two years i would have to say
fielding.
HS: Who do you think has the best shot at being the
champ in 2010?
Mink: it will be tough but it will ether be Dan L. or Dave V.
HS: Are there any opening day challenges
you want to throw out?
Mink: Yes there is, it would have to be me V.S. Zack A.
