Weird & Interesting Off-season Awards

It has been 22 days since the conclusion of the 2012 Frederick Keys season and it is time to give out some awards. Please note that these awards are not from the Orioles or the Keys, they are just little intricacies that we thought should be pointed out!

Ceremonial First Pitch Catcher Award – Jason Gurka – Caught 7 first pitches

Fun fact – When not catching first pitches, Gurka dominated out of the bullpen with a 2.18 ERA through 45.1 innings

Most Games Played Award - OF Jeremy Nowak – 117 games (out of 140)

Fun fact – He also led the team with 127 hits

  Classiest Shoe Award – Aaron Baker –  Showed up to Media Day in Cowboy Boots

Fun fact – Baker got called up to Double-A on July 19th, but still led the Keys in homers (22) and RBI  (72) in 2012

Hit Like A Beast Award  - Ty Kelly – .346 over 263 at-bats

Fun fact – Ty hit .347  with runners in scoring position while with the Keys

Sacrificial Award – IF Michael Rooney – 7 sacrifices

Fun fact –  Rooney hit .300 in 20 at-bats with runners in scoring position

Keys Thievery Award – John Ruettiger – 16 stolen bases

Fun fact – Ruettiger’s uncle was no other than “Rudy” Ruettiger, the inspirational story from Notre Dame football

The Giant Award (tallest player) – Mike Flacco – 6 feet 6 inches

Fun fact – Flacco hit .324 this season against left-handed pitchers

Best Walk-Up Song – Bobby Stevens – Call Me Maybe

Fun fact – Even when Bobby returned to Harry Grove Stadium as a Hillcat, fans enjoyed hearing Call Me Maybe

Most Likely To Succeed – Dylan Bundy

Fun fact – Bundy made his MLB debut on Sept. 23  after going 9-3 with a 2.08 ERA at three minor league levels

Highest Leg Kick Award – Rick Zagone

Fun fact – Zagone’s leg kick was so memorable, it landed him on the cover of the final Game Day Magazine this season

Change of Scenery Award – Kyle Simon

Fun fact – After going 2-8 with a 3.96 ERA as a starter for Frederick, Simon was traded to the Phillies for Jim Thome and went 4-0 with a 1.34 ERA as a reliever in 20 games between Advanced ‘A’ and Double ‘A’.