Bonifay named Manager of the Year

GREENEVILLE, TN - Greeneville Astros manager Josh Bonifay has been named the 2013 Appalachian League Manager of the Year, the league announced today. In addition, the league Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and All Star Team were also announced.  

Bonifay is the second manager of the Greeneville Astros to be named the league Manager of the Year following Tim Bogar during the team's inaugural season of 2004. Despite not having a player named to the All Star team, Bonifay has had the Astros at or near the top of the league standings for the majority of the season and led the Astros to a club best 21-9 record during the month of July. Furthermore, under Bonifay's leadership and guidance, the Astros had a seven-game and a ten-game win streak, the two longest win streaks in club history. 

Statistically speaking, with Bonifay preaching an unselfish attitude and a never-quit mentality, the team has set numerous club records. Astros' batters have accounted for a league-leading 280 walks during the season which broke their previous record of 256 and is currently 70 more than any other club in the league. Furthermore, the team is also leading the league in sacrifice hits with 34 while the pitching staff has accounted for a league best 21 saves.  

The following is the league's All-Star team as well as all the league award winners:

Appalachian League 2013 All Star Team

C: Rowan Wick - Johnson City   

1B: Sam Bates - Burlington

2B: Yeixon Ruiz - Kingsport 

3B: Mitch Nay - Bluefield

SS: Tyler Smith - Pulaski                 

U-INF: Kenny Peoples-Walls - Johnson City

DH: Matt Dean - Bluefield            

U-OF: Ian Miller - Pulaski

OF: Vaughn Bryan - Johnson City

OF: Nolan Earley - Bristol

OF: Zack Granite - Elizabethton

RHP: Edwin Diaz - Pulaski

LHP: Jairo LaBourt - Bluefield

RELIEF PITCHER: Emilio Pagan - Pulaski

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tyler Smith - Pulaski

PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Edwin Diaz - Pulaski

MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Josh Bonifay - Greeneville