Snake Bite: Rookie wins Silver Sluger
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by Sasha
Arizona Diamondbacks rookie pitcher Micah Owings was 8-8 and responsible for 20 home runs in 2007. Actually make that 24 home runs because in Micah’s 60 AB in 2007 he had 20 hits (a .333 average) four of which being home runs. Today Owings’ efforts were rewarded with his first, and Arizona’s first since Luis Gonzalez in 2001, Silver Slugger award. The silver slugger is given to one hitter at each position in each league who the managers feel is the best hitter at that position. Micah has always been known for his bat having been a two way star in collage at Tulane University and really takes pride in it as he takes both pitchers batting practice and regular batting practice twice a week. Micah Owings has stated that if he were ever to sign with an AL team he would insist on DHing at least on the days that he was pitching.
Owings coming out party really took place on August 18th in his home state of Georgia when, in front of a large part of his family, Owings went 4-5 with two long balls a double and 6 RBI. He also got the win in that game going 7 innings and allowing 3 runs (yes he drove in twice as many runs as he allowed). Then to finish off his 2007 regular season, on September 27th, Micah went 4-4 in Pittsburgh with 3 doubles and 3 RBI. Oh yes Micah got the win that game two and he drove in more than one billion runs than he allowed because yes, he pitched 6 and 1/3 innings of shutout ball. With that game Owings became the first pitcher since Whitey Ford to have two 4 hit games, now show of hands who were born when Mr. Ford started pitching; that’s what I thought.
Owings was used as a pinch hitter 6 times during the season and even once during the playoffs. Manger Bob Melvin has admitted that in 2008 he would consider putting Owings in the field if, when he was pitching, a tough lefty would step in. Melvin would bring in a reliever and then put Owings back in as the pitcher just so that he would not lose Micah’s bat.
