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| Autographed Atlantic League Baseball (r.) Autographed 2004 Somerset Patriots Multi-Ad Team Set #9 (l.) 2012 Somerset Patriots Choice Team Set #21 (Unsigned) |
A few days before Christmas in 2002, a concerned father called a
former teammate and friend to inquire whether he had a roster slot open for his
son to allow his son to continue his professional career after being abruptly
released from affiliated ball. Manager Sparky Lyle told Graig Nettles his son
was welcomed at Somerset.
As history would unfold, it was actually Graig Nettles who did the
favor for an old friend that winter day.
Jeff Nettles went on to become, as the Wall Street Journal titled him, “…the most recognizable
fixture in the Atlantic League” and accomplished the greatest career the
Atlantic League has ever seen accumulating more at bats (3.715), hits (1,052) and
RBI’s (667) than any other player in history at the time of his retirement while finishing in second place
all-time for career home runs, runs and doubles as well.
Nettles’ ability to compile career stats was also met with his
ability to elevate his play when it counted. Nettles remains the only player in
Atlantic League history to be recognized with league championship MVP awards in
two different years.
During his first year with Somerset, the great defensive third
baseman hit .450 with a home run and five RBI’s while scoring four runs in the 2003
postseason to bring the Patriots their second league title; defeating Nashua in
a five game series in the championship series.
In the 2009 Atlantic League Championship Series, Jeff Nettles hit
.375, while hitting three home runs and driving in six runs in four games to
bring Somerset their fifth title defeating Southern Maryland.
In all, Jeff Nettles led Somerset to three championship titles
while on their roster (2003/05/09).
To quantify Jeff Nettles’ consistency and prominence at the plate
during his days with Somerset, if you break out his career stats to average 125
games a year played, his average offensive year would calculate to 131 H’s, 27
DB’s, 19 HR’s and 83 RBI’s per season.
In
2012, Nettles was voted the greatest Patriot in franchise history when
polling fans, players, coaches and team
officials.
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