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by joez
Sarbaugh accepts IL award; speaks about team
By Jim Massie
The Columbus Dispatch - August 30, 2011 16:08 PM
Mike Sarbaugh fielded the news today that the International League had named him its manager of the year as easily as he would a one-hop ground ball during batting practice.
The satisfaction, the Columbus Clippers manager said, resides within the team that wrapped up the IL West Division title on Aug. 23.
“I like the makeup of this club and the chemistry in the clubhouse,” said Sarbaugh, who is finishing his second season with the Clippers. “We’ve had a lot of veteran players that have been very instrumental in the success. They’ve helped keep the attitude in the clubhouse positive. It’s been a very good year even though we’ve had a lot of movement.”
The movement showed within the makeup of the 12-player all-star team. Columbus shortstop Luis Valbuena was named the league’s best utility player. Jason Kipnis, who left Columbus for the Cleveland Indians on July 22, is the second baseman.
Sarbaugh was happy for both and wished the outfielder Jerad Head, also now with the Indians, had found a place on the team.
“I think that Jason, offensively, was just consistent all year,” Sarbaugh said. “He didn’t really have any big valleys.
“But one of the biggest things with him is the improvement that he made defensively at second base. From spring training to the time he left here, he put in a lot of work to become better second baseman. I think it showed.”
Kipnis left the Clippers with a .280 batting average, 16 doubles, 9 triples, 12 home runs, 55 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
“Luis, along with Jerad Head, has probably been our steadiest player all year,” Sarbaugh said. “ He’s been able to play multiple positions for us and play them all well.
“And he’s got a flair for the dramatic. He’s had a whole lot of big hits for us. When he gets on a bigger stage, he always seems to come up with a big play.”
Valbuena was batting .304 with 21 doubles, 16 home runs and a team-leading 72 RBI heading into last night’s game at Louisville.
Durham third baseman Russ Canzler was named the most valuable player in the league. Gwinnett’s Julio Teheran was selected as the most valuable pitcher and the rookie of the year.
The West Division dominated the all-star team. Catcher Devin Mesoraco and shortstop Zack Cozart of Louisville, and first baseman Matt Hague, centerfielder Alex Presley and closer Tim Wood of Indianapolis joined the two Clippers.
Outfielders Stefan Gartrell of Gwinnett and Dayan Viciedo of Charlotte and designated hitter Jorge Vazquez of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre rounded out the team.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller