Bryant Nelson - All-Time Atlantic League Hit King!



Autographed 2012 Long Island Ducks Choice Team Set #10
Autographed 2013 Long Island Ducks Choice Team Set #19

Drafted in the 1993 MLB amateur draft by the Houston Astros, Bryant Nelson would achieve the Major League level with 25 games with the Boston Red Sox in 2002.

Nelson would enter the Atlantic League in 2006, and throughout the next 11 seasons would be a staple of the league with tenures in Bridgeport (2006/15), Long Island (2008/12/13), Lancaster (2010/15), York (2011/14), Camden (2009/14) and Southern Maryland (2015/16).

Far from being just a hired journeyman, the switch-hitting Nelson had instrumental roles with the 2011 York Revolution and back-to-back 2012/13 Long Island Ducks championships earning three Championship rings.

In 2011, Nelson hit a walk-off homerun in the first game of the Freedom Division Series against Lancaster to set the stage for York moving onto the Championship Series and eventually the 2011 Atlantic League Championship trophy.  

Likewise, Nelson was an instrumental player in the 2012 & 2013 Long Island Ducks' championships. The Crossett, Arkansas-native launched a 2-run, eighth-inning home run while the Ducks were trailing Southern Maryland and facing elimination in the 5^th game of the 2012 Liberty Division Championship; propelling the Flock to the Championship Series they would eventually win.

In 2013, Nelson had the game-winning hit in game two, and drove in the championship winning RBI in game five, against the Somerset Patriots to bring the second, consecutive Championship to Long Island in what is arguably the most classic, intense Championship Series in Atlantic League history.

Nelson joined the Atlantic League 1,000-Hit Club on June 2, 2016, joining only Jeff Nettles (7/27/2012) and Ray Navarrete (8/3/2013) to achieve this career league milestone.

On August 3rd, 2016, Bryant Nelson replaced Jeff Nettles as the All-Time Atlantic League Hit King with career league hit 1,053 off of Lancaster pitcher Bryan Evans in Waldorf.

Nelson’s consistency and value to a roster has had him achieved at least 100 career hits with five different Atlantic League teams (Bridgeport, Camden, Lancaster, Long Island and Southern Maryland).

The fan-favorite Nelson was selected by the Long Island Ducks organization as the 3rd baseman for the team's 15^th Anniversary Team in 2014.

Tommy Herr - All Star Second Baseman and 1982 World Champion

Autographed 2010 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #26
2005 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #27

As a thirteen-year MLB veteran (1979-1991) and All-Star second baseman, Tommy Herr played in three World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals (1982/85/87) winning the fall classic as a member of the 1982 World Championship Cardinals. However, it was 1985 that was actually Herr’s best year highlighted by the extremely efficient production of 110 RBI’s with only 8 home runs for the season. This led to Herr finishing 5^th in the voting for National League MVP that year.

In 2005, Herr served as the inaugural manager of his hometown Lancaster Barnstormers and led them to the Atlantic League Championship the following season in 2006 against Bridgeport. Subsequently, Herr served as the bench coach under Von Hayes in 2009, then opportunistically returned once again as manager in 2010 where he witness first hand his son Aaron win the 2010 Atlantic League Player of the Year.

In three seasons, Herr finished with a 202-203 managerial record with the Barnstormers.

Tommy Everidge - 2011 Atlantic League Player of the Year

Autographed 2011 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #03 (MVP Card)

Selected in the 10^th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft by Oakland, Sonoma Valley-native Tommy Everidge progressed through the Athletics’ minor league system reaching the majors in June of 2009.

After additional stints within the Seattle and Houston farm systems, the power-hitting first baseman signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers in 2011, and quickly dominated the Atlantic League at the plate.

In that season, Everidge led the league in hits (160), doubles (41), home runs (28), and total bases (285); and ranked second in runs scored (94) and RBI’s (94). All this was accomplished while maintaining an elevated .319 batting average and playing in all 125 games for the Barnstormers.

In August, Everidge flirted with batting .400 for the entire month; falling just shy at .394 leading to Everidge being named the Atlantic League Player of the Month.

For his offensive season -- which also included setting a league extra-base hit record (69) -- Tommy Everidge was awarded the Atlantic League Player of the Year for 2011.

Everidge currently works as a hitting coach in the Oakland organization.

Jon Hunton - Atlantic League All-Time Career Save Leader

(Top) Autographed 2013 Somerset Patriots Choice Team Set #14
(BL) Autographed 2014 Somerset Patriots Choice Team Set #20
(BR) Autographed 2015 Somerset Patriots Choice Team Set #19

Drafter in the 11^th round of the 2004 draft by the Chicago Cubs, Jon Hunton would achieve the Triple-A level within the Oakland A’s organization in 2010.

After briefs roster stints with Lancaster (2007), Somerset (2008) and Long Island (2011/12), the Plainfield, NJ native would come home and find a home with the Somerset Patriots in 2013 becoming the premier closer in the Atlantic League with three consecutive, 30-save seasons. In 2014, he established the single-season Atlantic League save record with 49 saves. During this three-year period, Hunton would save an incredible 45% of the Patriots victories.

With this dominance, the 6’9” closer would establish the Atlantic League career saves record on May 10, 2016, eclipsing Southern Maryland's Jim Ed Warden’s career total with 135 saves.

As a significant member of the 2015 Somerset championship team, Hunton claims off-the-field contributions to this banner as well, as Hunton also has been serving in the dual role of the team’s Director of Player Personnel since the 2014 season.

Aaron Herr - 2010 Atlantic League Player of the Year

Autographed 2010 Lancaster Barnstormers Team Set #8 (MVP Card)
2011 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set # 8

Drafted in the 1^st round of the 2000 June Amateur draft by the Atlanta Braves, Aaron Herr achieved 3 years at the Triple-A level with the Cleveland and mostly Cincinnati organizations, whom the latter released the infielder after a severe groin injury in 2008.

Herr returned to his home town where he attended high school; signing with the Lancaster Barnstormers in 2009. Herr’s St. Louis Cardinal, All Star, second baseman father, Tommy Herr, was serving as the club’s field manager at the time.

Herr dominated the Atlantic League the next year, hitting .321 with 163 hits, and slugging .526 with 103 RBI’s, earning the co-honor of the 2010 Atlantic League Player of the Year with York’s Scott Grimes.  His home run mark of 23 round trippers was good enough to lead the Atlantic League that year; as was his 103 RBI's. Herr came within 18 points in batting average in that year of 2010 to be able to claim an Atlantic League triple crown.

Ross Peeples - "The Mayor" and Atlantic League Career Appearance Leader

Autographed 2006 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #4
Autographed 2009 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #15
Autographed 2011 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #15

Leading the Brooklyn Cyclones to a 2001 New York-Penn League co-championship with a league leading 1.34 ERA and Cyclone-franchise record of 9 wins, Georgia-native Ross Peoples was awarded the Doubleday Award as Brooklyn’s Most Valuable Player.

Peeples was signed as an inaugural member of the 2005 Barnstormers team (at the recommendation of Lancaster-executive Vince Bulik who knew Peeples from his time with the Cyclones) and Peeples stayed a while.

For the next 10 years (2005-14), the left-hander was a staple on the mound for the 'Stormers eventually setting the Atlantic League record for career pitching appearances (374) and Lancaster team records for innings pitched (602 2/3) and strikeouts (325). Peeples was a member of the 2006 and 2014 Championship Teams.

Nicknamed “The Mayor” for his tenure, popularity, service and entrenchment in the Lancaster community, Peeples stayed in the community upon his retirement in 2014, with a front office job with the team. 

Butch Hobson - Boston Red Sox Third Baseman & Winningest Atlantic League Manager

Autographed 2000 Nashua Pride WMUR9 Team Set;
Autographed 2014 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set # 27
(Championship Managerial Cards)

Being a Crimson Tide baseball standout at Alabama, as well as in the football program under Bear Bryant, Butch Hobson was signed in the 8th round of the 1973 amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox. By 1976, Hobson was the starting third baseman for the Boston Red Sox.  The Tuscaloosa-native’s MLB career went on to span eight years with additional stops at the California Angels and New York Yankees and featured a stand-out year in 1977 where Hobson put up 30 home runs and 112 RBI’s.

After managing the Boston Red Sox (1992-94), Hobson launched his Atlantic League managerial career with the Nashua Pride in 2000, and lead them to the league championship.  

For the next 15 years, Hobson would be at the helm of Atlantic League teams (Nashua 2000-2007; Southern Maryland 2008-10; Lancaster 2011-15) on his way to becoming the most prolific manager in league history with over 1,031 wins and two League Championships.  (Nashua 2000/Lancaster 2014).

Hobson has been named the Atlantic League Manager of the Year four times

Chris Schwinden - 2014 Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year

Autographed 2014 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set #21 (Pitcher of Year Card)

Having reached the Major League level with the New York Mets in 2011, and their starting rotation in 2012, right-handed pitcher Chris Schwinden pitched only one year in the Atlantic League but made it count.

Serving as the anchor to the Lancaster Barnstormers’ pitching staff in 2014, the Visalia, California native finished the regular season 14-5 with a 2.56 ERA.

Schwinden’s impressive season carried over well into the Atlantic League postseason. After earning the win in the opening game of the Playoff Series, he additionally allowed only 1 earned run in 9 innings of work in the decisive 5^th game against a very strong Somerset Patriots team earning his second win of the playoffs and propelling Lancaster into the Championship Series.

Schwinden followed up his playoff performance by pitching 7 innings against Sugar Land in the Championship Series capping off a sweep for Lancaster -- 3 games to none. His combined stats in the 2014 postseason finished at a 2-0 record and an 1.90 ERA with more strikeouts registered (21) than hits allowed (20).

Upon season conclusion, Chris Schwinden was named the Atlantic League Pitcher of the year for his 2014 efforts.

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.

Blake Gailen - 2012 Atlantic League Player of the Year

Autographed 2012 Lancaster Barnstormers SGA Promo Card Strip #15 (MVP Card)

Autographed 2014 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set Card #6

Barnstormer-fan-favorite Blake Gailen established himself as one of the premier players of the Atlantic League in 2012, not only winning the 2012 Atlantic League Player of the Year, but also being named Baseball America's Independent Player of the Year.

In 2012, the Lancaster outfielder won the Atlantic League batting crown with a league-leading .338 batting average. Despite a 5’9” frame, Gailen displayed power that year belting 22 home runs and driving in 89 RBI’s. He also had 94 runs and 25 stolen bases highlighting his base-running prowess to compliment his slugging.

2012 was good enough to gain the attention of the Toronto Blue Jays who signed Gailen to an AAA contract (Buffalo). In 2014, Gailen was also signed to a Mexican League contract (Toros de Tijuana), but returned to the ‘Stormers mid-season to spearhead their attack and lead Lancaster to their second Atlantic League Championship in their 10th-anniversary season.