Jimmy Hurst - 2002 Atlantic League Player of the Year

(L) Autographed 2001 Nashua Price WMUR9 Team Set
(R) 2002 Newark Bears Choice Team Set (MVP Card)

Out of Butch Hobson’s hometown of Tuscaloosa, AL, Jimmy Hurst was drafted in the 12^th round of the 1990 Amateur Draft by the Chicago White Sox.

With a professional baseball career that spanned seventeen seasons reaching the Triple-A level with four different organizations and the major leagues in 1997 with the Detroit Tigers, the 6’6” power-hitting outfielder landed in the Atlantic League with Hobson’s Nashua Pride in 2001, but it would be his second year in the league with Newark that would be his season for the record books.

2002 could not have been a more perfect season for Hurst or more of a monster year. Hurst led the league in hits (150), home runs (35), RBI’s (100), total bases (288), batting average (.341) and slugging percentage (.655) while playing in only 113 games on his way to becoming the Atlantic League’s first ever Triple Crown winner.  Hurst’s slugging average mark that year still stands as the Atlantic League single-season record. It was only a formality that Hurst was to be named the 2002 Atlantic League Player of the Year.

In the post season that year, Hurst continued his perfect season, leading his Newark Bears to their first league Championship ever sweeping the Bridgeport Bluefish and being named the championship series MVP as well. 

Chris Widger - 10-Year MLB Veteran and Chicago White Sox World Champion

Autographed 2013 Camden Rivershark Choice Team Set #29

Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 1992 amateur draft, Chris Widger went on to launch a MLB career spanning 10 seasons and six teams. The Pennsville, NJ native solidified himself as a Major Leaguer by becoming the everyday catcher for the Montreal Expos by 1998, and is a prime example of the second chance the Atlantic League can offer ballplayers.

With no contracts for affiliated ball in 2004, Widger was signed by the Camden Riversharks and suited up for 55 games that year in an effort to continue his career and the hopes of signing with affiliated ball. Within one year, Chris Widger would be a member of the 2005 World Championship White Sox team.

Widger returned to his hometown area in 2012, becoming the pitching coach for the Camden Riversharks; eventually being named the Camden manager for the 2015 season. 

Kinnis Pledger - 1998 Atlantic League Player of the Year

Autographed 1998 Bridgeport Bluefish Multi-Ad Team Set #23 (MVP Card);
Autographed 2000 Bridgeport Bluefish Multi-Ad Team Set #2

Selected by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 1987 Amateur Draft, Kinnis Pledger went on to reach the Triple-A level with both the White Sox (1990) and Chicago Cubs’ organizations (1994/95) prior to arriving in the Atlantic League.

The power-hitting, Arkansas native was the inaugural 1st baseman for the Bridgeport Bluefish when the franchise was established upon the formation of the Atlantic League in 1998. 

In that inaugural year of 1998, Pledger lit up the league batting .331 and slugging an incredible.625 with 26 home runs and 89 RBI’s. Pledger had such a dominant year that he finished in either first or second place in league batting for runs, hits, RBI's, total bases, OBP, OPS and slugging average.

This earned him selection as the first Atlantic League Player of the Year Award  – an honor he shared with Felix Jose of the Nashua Pride.

The award and his level of play in the Atlantic League drew the attention of the Seattle Mariners in 1999. During the Atlantic League All Star Game that year, Pledger was scratched from the Home Run Derby when the Seattle Mariners offered him a Triple-A contract.

Pledger retired in 2001, after 15 years in professional ball and to the appreciation of Bluefish fans who saw him play for four seasons.  

Dwayne Pollok - 2012 & 2013 Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year

Autographed 2012 Lancaster Barnstormers SGA Promo Card  #09 (Pitcher of Year Card)

Autographed 2013 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #28 (Pitcher of Year Card)

Having Reached the AAA Level with the Dodger and White Sox organizations, Dwayne Pollok landed in the Atlantic League in 2012, with the Lancaster Barnstormers and opposing batters immediately fell victim to his spot-fast ball and commanding breaking ball.

The former Texas A&M Aggie put together two of the most dominant back-to-back pitching seasons the league has even seen carrying home both the 2012 & 2013 Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year Awards.

In 2012, Pollok went 14-4 with a 2.30 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 34 appearances.  He followed through in 2013, with arguable a better year, finishing with an 18-3 record, 2.92 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 27 appearances.

Pollok equaled his two Atlantic League distinctions by being named the back-to-back Pitcher of the Year (2011/12 & 2012/13) in the Venezuelan Winter League as well.

The greatest compliment of Pollok’s talent was from his Barnstormer pitching peer, Ross Peeples, whom told Lancaster Online, "You sit in the bullpen with guys who have spent years in the big leagues, and they say that Pollok could be a No. 4 or 5 starter in the big leagues right now.’

Pollok walked off the mound into retirement in 2013, at the top of his game with an .820 AL winning percentage, to the relief of Atlantic League hitters.