Jeremy Barfield 2016 Atlantic League Player of the Year

Autographed 2016 Sugar Land Skeeters Memorial Hermann Team Set

Attaining the AAA level with both the Oakland and Colorado organizations, Jeremy Barfield joined the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2016 and was instrumental in leading the franchise to their first Atlantic League Championship.

Son of former major leaguer Jesse Barfield, and brother of former major leaguer and Atlantic League veteran Josh Barfield, the younger Barfield hit .306 with a league-leading 27 home runs and 85 RBi’s in his 2016 Skeeter campaign.

In the Atlantic League Divisional and Championship Series, Barfield hit .308 contributing 1 HR and 6 runs scored helping the Skeeters sweep both postseason series (vs. York and Long Island) to earn the league championship.

For his season, Barfield was named the 2016 Atlantic League Player of the Year; the first Sugar Land player in history to be so honored.

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.

Chris Eddy - 1998 Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year

Autographed 1998 Atlantic City Surf Team Set #17 (Pitch/YR Card)

Out of Duncanville, TX, pitcher Chris Eddy was drafted in the third round of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft by the Kansas City Royals; eventually reaching the majors with Oakland in 1995 at the age 25.

The southpaw claimed the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year award in the league’s inaugural season of 1998, pitching as a closer for the Atlantic City Surf. As a closer, Eddy was automatic notching 26 saves while winning six games without a loss for AC. Eddy’s ERA was stellar that year at 0.70 as was his WHIP; .88 in 38 games.

Eddy domination carried over to the post season as he earned the championship MVP honors leading his team to their first and only championship defeating Bridgeport in 4 games.

In three seasons with the Surf (1998-2000), Eddy was one of the premier closers in the early days of Atlantic League earning 52 saves. 

Jake Fox - 2013 Atlantic League Player of the Year

Autographed 2013 Somerset Patriots Choice Team Set #10 (MVP Card)

Drafted in the third round by the Chicago Cubs of the 2003 MLB Draft out of Michigan, Jake Fox experienced playing time in the majors in 2007 and 2009 (Cubs), 2010 (Oakland and Baltimore) and in 2011 (Baltimore) hitting a total of 20 home runs and 73 RBI’s with a .425 career slugging percentage.

The corner infielder and catcher would enter the Atlantic League in 2012 batting .388 with Somerset and claim the 2013 Atlantic League Player of the Year Award a year later. That year Fox would hit .310 with 25 home runs and 82 RBI’s despite playing in only 96 games. With 23 doubles as well, Fox’s slugging percentage would reach .572.

With this 2013 MVP season, Fox would draw interest and be signed by the Diamondbacks. In 2014, Fox would be signed with the Phillies and by 2015, after a brief stop with Toronto, Fox would sign a lucrative deal to play the season in Korea.

Ozzie Canseco - 2000 Atlantic League Player of the Year

Autographed 2000 Newark Bears Team Set (MVP Card)

Drafted as pitcher by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 1983 MLB Amateur Draft, Ozzie Canseco transitioned into an outfielder in the minors after a rotator cuff injury and eventually reached the Major Leagues with both the Oakland Athletics (1990) and St. Louis Cardinals (1992/93).

In the millennium year of 2000, Canseco christened the first full season of the new home of the Newark Bears, Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium, with one of the best offensive years the Atlantic League has ever seen.

Canseco hit 48 home runs and drove in 129 runs establishing the single-season record for the Atlantic League -- a season mark that still stands in the league today. Incredibly, Canseco averaged one home run for every 9.4 (under/10) at bats.

The power clinic that the Newark first baseman put on in 2000 --framed by leading the league with a .644 slugging and 1069 OPS average -- resulted in the Atlantic League naming Canseco the Player of the Year.

Canseco’s twin brother and 1998 American League MVP, Jose, joined him for the 2001 season on the Newark Bears and appeared on the same roster together the first time since the 1990 Oakland A’s.

Rickey Henderson - All-Time Stolen Base and Runs-Scored King

Autographed Baseball & 2003 Newark Bears Team Set Card # 5 (Unsigned)

Through his 24-year MLB career, Rickey Henderson cemented his legend as the greatest lead-off hitter that the game of baseball has ever known.

Henderson gained this distinction by establishing the MLB career marks for runs scored (2,295-surpassing Ty Cobb); and Steals (1,406-surpassing Lou Brock with 50% more stolen bases).

In 2009, the 3,000-Hit-Club member received 94.8% of votes on the BBWAA ballots and was enshrined in Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility.

In 2003, “The Man of Steal” became a member of the Newark Bears and played for two seasons in the Atlantic League; thrilling fans with 37 stolen bases in 2004. Commenting on his tenure in the League, Henderson said: “I had a great time. To tell you the truth, I probably had a better time than I did in the major leagues,”… “In the major leagues, we always worry about how well we’re doing. When I got a chance to play in independent ball, it wasn’t about how well you do but how much fun you’re having, and I had a great time.”