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Bonifay named Appy Manager of Year

Skipper led Greeneville Astros to multiple club records
August 23, 2013

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. -- 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:

2013 APPALACHIAN LEAGUE AWARDS
POSITION NAME TEAM  
C Rowan Wick Johnson City  
1B Sam Bates Burlington  
2B Yeixon Ruiz Kingsport  
3B Mitch Nay Bluefield  
SS Tyler Smith Pulaski  
UTILITY INF Kenny Peoples-Walls Johnson City  
DH Matt Dean Bluefield  
UTILITY 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