A season to remember in 2009

KANNAPOLIS, NC - The 2009 season was one of firsts and bests for the Kannapolis Intimidators. And while it did ultimately fall short of a championship run that was the goal from the start, there was still plenty to celebrate and remember from the most successful regular season in Intimidators history.

Kannapolis won a league-best 82 games in 2009 behind first-year manager Ernie Young, the most victories since becoming a White Sox affiliate in 2001. The record setting pace was primarily a result of an outstanding second half in which the Intimidators racked up 45 wins and claimed a postseason spot. Kannapolis set the pace with three lengthy winning streaks, including a 12 gamer from August 15-27.

It did all come to an abrupt halt following a two-game sweep at the hands of the eventual champions, the Lakewood BlueClaws, in the SAL Northern Division Championship, but that pair of losses did little to diminish a banner campaign for many Intimidators prospects.

Four position players-Drew Garcia, Jon Gilmore, Eduardo Escobar and Kenny Williams-and five pitchers-Charlie Leesman, Stephen Sauer, Drew O'Neil, Leroy Hunt and Dan Remenowsky-led the way, spending the entire season on the Kannapolis roster. Leesman topped the South Atlantic League in wins, racking up 13. Remenowsky was among the leaders in saves with 24, while Gilmore led the squad with his 67 driven in.

Outfielder Brandon Short, claimed the teams batting title by hitting .284 in 97 games. Justin Greene had a tremendous season as well, hitting .303 in 81 games, but was called up to High A Winston-Salem in mid-July, falling short of the needed at-bats to qualify for the batting crown.

The team also featured a batch of 2009 draftees, including a pair of first rounders. Outfielder Jared Mitchell (23rd overall) and catcher and home run leader Josh Phegley (38th overall) both featured prominently during Kannapolis' second half run. In total, eight players selected in 2009 spent time with the Intimidators.

The 2009 season will also be remembered as the year of the Major Leaguer. Kannapolis welcomed four players with Major League experience to their ranks, including trio of All Stars. Outfielder Carlos Quentin and former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon both featured on the same night, taking the field on July 14 in Savannah. Two-time All Star pitcher Freddy Garcia worked three innings in a start at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium on July 27 against Rome, while reliever Ryan Braun pitched in a pair of games out of the bullpen. Three of the four went on to play for the White Sox again in 2009 after appearing with the Intimidators.

Overall, 56 players made an appearance with the Intimidators-27 hitters and 29 pitchers. Included in the group was Daniel Hudson, who opened the season with Kannapolis, making four starts before being sent up to Winston-Salem. Hudson went on to pitch at every subsequent level of the White Sox minor league system before making his Big League debut in September. He became the fastest player in Kannapolis history to go from playing for the Intimidators to his first Major League appearance.

2009 was also a banner year at the Cannon. With Kannapolis celebrating the 15th year of franchise history, the Intimidators welcomed more fans to the park than ever before. Over the course of the season, 132,342 fans came out to Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, breaking the previous high mark of 2001.

The Intimidators open the 2010 season on April 10 against the Rome Braves at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. Season tickets and multi-game ticket packages are on sale now at IntimidatorsBaseball.com, over the phone at (704) 932-3267 or in person at the Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium ticket office.