Lewis, Bromberg head Twins on All-Star squad
There were no complaints this year.
For the first time in Appy League history, seven players from one team (Elizabethton) was named to the All-Star squad.
Elizabethton outfield Ozzie Lewis led the way, taking a close vote over teammate Deibinson Romero, to take the Player of the Year title.
Teammate David Bromberg, with the league's best record from the mound, was named Pitcher of the Year.
Also figuring into the squad: Romero (third base), Rene Leveret (first base), Greg Yersich (catcher), Estarlin De Los Santos (shortstop) and Rene Tosoni (utility).
Lewis was surprised to receive the award.
"I'm really grateful," Lewis said Monday. "I thank God for giving me the ability and thank the Twins for drafting me and giving me the opportunity. My hat's off to my coaching staff for their help and support."
Through Sunday night, the outfielder was tied with the league's best batting average at .332. He was second in home runs (9), third in hits (74) and doubles (18), fourth in RBI (50) and tenth in runs scored (45).
The team's consistency was a big factor in so many players making the team, according to Lewis.
"Everybody brings something different to the table," Lewis said. "Everybody's good in their own way. We played good baseball all summer. The main thing is, we've been consistent. A lot of teams can't say that. A lot of players can't say that. In baseball, it's hard. You go into slumps, but we've done well and been consistent all year."
Bromberg has the league's top record at 8-0 with 58.1 innings pitched. His 2.72 earned-run-average is fifth best, while his 77 strikeouts tops the league.
"At the beginning, I was struggling to throw strikes," Bromberg said. "In the middle of the year, I got my stuff together and started pitching good.
"My pitching coach (Jim Shellenback) and I have been working a lot this year. Last year, I had some trouble. My mechanics were off. This year, he's helped me a lot with bullpen work and that helped me get the award."
Bromberg credited his players in the field for their help.
"I don't think I would've gotten Pitcher of the Year without them," he said. "All of them have put up numbers and it's good to have them on the team. Hopefully, we'll move up and I'll get to have them as teammates again next year."
Romero was a lock for third base and could've shared Player of the Year honors with Lewis.
He leads the league with 76 hits, is second in runs (57) and home runs (9), third in batting average (.322) and RBI (51) and ninth in doubles (16). He has also hit a league-high three grand slam home runs this season.
Leveret got hot at the beginning of the year and never really cooled down.
Last year's Dominican Summer League MVP converted his success to the American diamond and was honored to earn All-Star accolades with six of his teammates.
"I came as MVP from the Dominican and began working hard," Leveret said. "It feels like home here at E-Town with these guys. There's nothing better than being on the All-Star team with these guys from the Twins."
Leveret leads the league with 63 RBI, is seventh in home runs (7) and hits (70) and eighth in runs (48). He also totaled 13 doubles and had a .300 batting average through Sunday.
De Los Santos has been a playmaker in the field at shortstop, but has held a consistent bat. The shortstop is second in hits (75), first in runs (60) and seventh in RBI (40).
Tosoni has hit .291 on the season with the third most runs scored (56), 12th most hits (65) and 30 RBI. He credited Jeff Reed with helping him find his swing.
"Reeder helped me a lot," Reed said. "He helped me control my swing and make sure I wasn't overswinging. He took a lot of time before practice and helped me out."
Yersich was no surprise at catcher.
After being demoted from Beloit prior to the year, Yersich has returned to form batting .311 with 57 hits, including 12 doubles, with 30 RBI and 34 runs scored.
"If it wasn't for my buddy David Bromberg pitching for me, the success of the team and Jeff Reed, I wouldn't have made it," Yersich said. "Jeff Reed and the coaching staff helped me out a lot."
"The coaching staff really helps us out a lot and makes us work hard. You're not going to be in the line-up if you're not working hard, so a lot of it goes to the coaching staff."
Danville placed four on the team, including slugger Cody Johnson, who leads the Appy League with 17 home runs, second baseman Cole Miles and pitchers Jeff Lock and Nick Fellman.
The team's manager Paul Runge was named Manager of the Year.
Bluefield placed two on the squad, outfielders Kraig Binick and Matt Tucker, while Burlington added Jake Lane.
All-in-all, the East Division had seven players and the West Division totaled seven players. Unfortunately for Johnson City, Greeneville, Bristol and Kingsport, their squads couldn't match up with the 'Betsy Bombers.'
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2007 Appalachian League All-Star Team
Player of the Year: Ozzie Lewis, Elizabethton
Pitcher of the Year: David Bromberg, Elizabethton
Manager of the Year: Paul Runge, Danville
Catcher: Greg Yersich, Elizabethton
First Baseman: Rene Leveret, Elizabethton
Second Baseman: Cole Miles, Danville
Shortstop: Estarlin De Los Santos, Elizabethton
Third Baseman: Deibinson Romero, Elizabethton
Outfield: Matt Tucker, Bluefield; Kraig Binick, Bluefield; Cody Johnson, Danville.
Designated Hitter: Jake Lane, Burlington
Utility: Rene Tosoni, Elizabethton
RHP: David Bromberg, Elizabethton
LHP: Jeff Locke, Danville
RP: Nick Fellman, Danville