08/16/2023 2023 American Legion World Series Awards - unofficial!

08/16/2023 2023 American Legion World Series Awards - unofficial!

This will be posted at http://albdistrict2mi.blogspot.com/

American Legion World Series Awards - description / link, current (2023 winner) and selected prior winners (all unofficial)

#2023 American Legion All-Academic Team (sponsored by Diamond Sports) - https://www.legion.org/baseball/259816/2023-alb-all-academic-team-announced

Each regional winner named to the All-Academic Team receives a $2,500 scholarship, while the overall top academic players is named the team captain and receives a $5,000 scholarship.

All-Academic Team Captain: Dylan Provenzano, Barrington, Ill., Post 58 (Great Lakes Regional)

Northeast Regional: Nicholas Lang, Endicott, N.Y., Post 82

Mid-Atlantic Regional: Aiden Newmeyer, Connellsville, Pa., Post 301

Southeast Regional: Elliott Palmer, Gallatin, Tenn., Post 17

Mid-South Regional: Adrian Phifer, Little Rock, Ark., Post 1

Great Lakes Regional: Caden Oliver, Adrian, Mich., Post 275 (Parma Wesren HS, MI)

Central Plains Regional: Alexander Kosse, Bellevue, Neb., Post 330

Northwest Regional: Tyler Riesen, Sheridan, Wyo., Post 7

Western Regional: John Kendall, Virginia, Minn., Post 239

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2023 American Legion Baseball World Series Awards - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards

#American Legion Graduate of the Year - Each year The American Legion honors a former American Legion Baseball player who is currently playing in the Major Leagues for his character, leadership, playing abilities and community service. Individuals are recommended by their respective post. link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/graduate

2023 Graduate of the Year - Corey Seager, Texas Rangers

Selected (by me) Past Recipients -

Chad Billingsley - 2013

Brandon Inge - 2010

Justin Verlander - 2008

Chipper Jones - 2000

Tony Gwynn - 1998

Greg Maddux - 1994

Harold Reynolds - 1990

Alan Trammell - 1989

Dave Winfield - 1977

Rick Monday - 1976

Al Kaline - 1972

Harmon Killebrew - 1969

Mickey Lolich - 1968

Bobby Richardson - 1962

Stan Musial - 1961

Ted Williams - 1960

Sherman Lollar - 1958

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#George W. Rulon Player of the Year - Through a special arrangement with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, a player is selected each year as the George W. Rulon Player of the Year. The award is based on integrity, mental attitude, cooperation, citizenship, sportsmanship, scholastic aptitude and general good conduct. link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/player

2023 George W. Rulon Player of the Year - Jacob Cyr from League City Post 554, TX

Selected (by me) Past Recipients -

2011 Blake Schmit, Eden Prairie, MN

2009 Tyler Jacobson, Mixtacki-Johnson Post 337, Pulaski, WI

2003 Jared Willis, Post 19, Logan, WV

2002 Ty Henkaline, Post 217, Sidney, OH

2001 Jay Threet, Post 275, Adrian, MI

1998 Chad Opel, Post 199, Edwardsville, IL

1991 Ryan Beeney, Newark Post 85, Newark, OH

1988 Mike Kessler, George Budde Post 507, Cincinnati, OH

1983 Michael Halloran, Edina Post 471, Edina, MN

1977 William Floyd Schell, South Bend Post 50, South Bend, IN

1967 Ray Lynn Larsen, George W. Benjamin Post 791, Northbrook, IL

1961 James J. Gerber, Edward C. Gehlert Post 554, Cincinnati, OH

1959 Fred Bowen, Jr., Thomas A. Edison Post 187, Detroit, MI

1957 Fred Fox, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati, OH

1955 Frank Birri, U. S. Postal Employees Post 216, Cincinnati, OH

1953 Charles Lindstrom, Winnetka Post 10, Winnetka, IL

1952 Russell Nixon, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati, OH

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#The American Legion Baseball Slugger - Since 1945, the American Legion has presented a slugger trophy to the player with the highest batting average during national competition. link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/batting

2023 American Legion Baseball Slugger - Zack Hunt-Florence, SC Post 1 - batting averages .500

2023 American Legion Baseball Slugger - Brady Cook-Florence, SC Post 1 - batting averages .500

Selected (by me) Past Recipients -

2017 Jordan Patty, Midland, Mich. (.529)

2006 Brady Shoemaker, Terre Haute, Ind. (.523)

1998 Chad Opel, Post 199, Edwardsville, Ill. (.632)

1997 Scott Deopere of Post 200, Rock Island, Ill. (.512)

1988 Scott Hughes, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati (.465)

1986 Mitch Hannahs, Community Post 66, Maynard, Ohio (.486)

1978 Douglas J. Palmer, Ben J. Seifert Post 132, New Ulm, Minn. (.679)

1977 William F. Schell, South Bend Post 50, South Bend, Ind. (.441)

1963 Jerry Mattingly, Funkhouser Post 8, Evansville, Ind. (.413)

1958 Kenneth Peters, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati (.420)

1957 Fred Fox, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati (.412)

1953 Charles Selinger, Winnetka Post 10, Winnetka, Ill. (.457)

1947 George Moeller, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati (.500)

1946 Victor Kauffman, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati (.467)

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#American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award - The Big Stick Award is given at the American Legion World Series to the player who rounds the most bases in regional and national competition. Link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/bigstick

2023 American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award - A.J. Evasco-Lincoln, NE Post 3 - 23 bases

2023 American Legion Baseball Big Stick Award - Zack Hunt-Florence, SC Post 1 - 23 bases

Selected (by me) Past Recipients -

2011 Tony Skefte, Eden Prairie, MN (45 total bases)

2010 Matt Halloran, Eden Prairie, MN (34)

2009 Kyle O'Boyle, Midland, Mich.

2006 Brady Shoemaker, Terre Haute, Ind. (39)

1999 Brian Paone, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn. (48)

1988 Scott Hughes, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati (30)

1975 William John Wilson, Hanford Post 5, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (42)

1974 Gregory Allen Tooley, Jenkins Post 254, Rockport, Ind. (22)

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#Dr. Irvin L. "Click" Cowger RBI Memorial Award - Dr. Irvin L. Cowger, a former Department of Kansas adjutant and devoted baseball supporter. The National Americanism Commission established an award in Cowger's name, sponsored by the Department of Kansas. The recipient is credited with the most runs batted in during regional and national competition. Link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/rbi

2023 Dr. Irvin L. "Click" Cowger RBI Memorial Award Recipient - Damon Suriani-Brooklawn, NJ Post 72 (12 RBIs)

Selected (by me) Past Recipients -

2011 Blake Schmit, Eden Prairie, MN (18)

2009 Kyle O'Boyle, Midland, Mich.

2006 Brady Shoemaker, Terre Haute, Ind. (18)

2004 Troy Peterson, Eden Prairie, Minn. (20)

1999 Brian Paone, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn. (26)

1991 Ryan Beeney, Post 85, Newark, Ohio (16)

1988 Scott Hughes, Post 507, Cincinnati (17)

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#Bob Feller Pitching Award - Bob Feller was the first American Legion Baseball alumnus elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The recipient is the player with the most strikeouts in regional and national competition. link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/pitching

2023 Bob Feller Pitching Award Recipient - Colten McAnelly-Cheyenne, WY Post 6 with 29 strikeouts

Selected (by me) Past Recipients -

2021 Aaron Savary, Dubuque County Post 137, IA (25)

2017 Jordan Patty, Midland, MI (19)

2011 Colton Loomis, Midland, MI (35)

2001 Chad Billingsley, Post 300, Napoleaon, Ohio (43)

1999 Steve Grasley, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn. (43)

1989 Jeff Thelen, Janesville Post 205, Janesville, Wisc. (34)

1982 Robert Wassenaar, Edina Post 471, Edina Minn. (34)

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#James F. Daniel Jr. Memorial Sportsmanship Award - The James F. Daniel Jr. Memorial Sportsmanship Award is presented to a player who participates in the Legion World Series and best embodies the principles of good sportsmanship. link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/sportsmanship

2023 James F. Daniel Jr. Memorial Sportsmanship Award Recipient - A.J. Evasco from Lincoln Post 3, NE

Selected (by me) Past Recipients -

2018 Sam Goodman, Dubuque County, Iowa Post 137

2014 Tanner Gross, Post 165, Midland, MI

2009 Garret Yatch, Midland, Mich.

2006 Brady Shoemaker, Post 346, Terre Haute, Ind.

2003 Michael Badger, Post 92, Rochester, Minn.

1996 Andy Hoffman, Berry Hill Post 165, Midland, Mich.

1992 John Klopp, Merle Guild Post 208, Arlington Heights, Ill.

1988 Pete Rose, Jr., George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati

1982 Michael David Hufhand, James DeArmond Golliday Post 6, Kokomo, Ind.

1979 Stephen Michael Petersen, Barrington Post 158, Barrington, Ill.

1976 Michael James Boddicker, Hanford Post 5, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1975 Curtiss Dean Becker, Hanford Post 5, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1971 Michael Leroy Curran, Hanford Post 5, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1958 Scott Seger, Robert E. Bentley Post 50, Cincinnati

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#Jack Williams Memorial Leadership Award - Adjutant Jack Williams led the Department of North Dakota for 49 years before his death in 1967. Aware that proper adult leadership is an important component of success, Williams encouraged qualified men to work in the program. To honor Williams' memory, this award is presented to the manager and coach of the national championship team as outstanding representatives of adult leadership. link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/awards/leadership

2023 Jack Williams Memorial Leadership Award Recipients - League City Post 554, TX coaching staff - Ronnie Oliver, William Kemp, Steven Whittington, Jack Kaiser, and Kameren Harddebeck

Selected (by me) Past Recipients -

2011 Manager Scott Hackett and coaches Mike Halloran and John Buteyn, Eden Prairie

2009 Dan Cronkright, Mgr., Steven Cronkright and Patrick Dawson, coaches, Midland, Mich.

2003 Coaches Tony Beck and Keith Kangas, Post 92, Rochester, Minn.

1999 Manager Jeff Larson, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn.

1999 Coaches Mark Paone and Mike Maslowski, Post 513, New Brighton, Minn.

1998 Manager Ken Schaake, Post 199, Edwardsville, Ill.

1998 Coaches Steve Haug, Keith Opel, and Mike Schaake, Post 199, Edwardsville, Ill.

1988 Manager John McMichen, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati

1988 Coach Tom Kilgore, George W. Budde Post 507, Cincinnati

1983 Manager Clifton M. Olsen, Edina Post 471, Edina, Minn.

1983 Coach Bruce Barron, Edina Post 471, Edina, Minn.

1977 Coach Bill Barcome, South Bend Post 50, South Bend, Ind.

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American Legion World Series Champions -

2023 American Legion World Series Champion - League City, TX Post 554

Selected (by me) Past Champions / Runner-up -

1926 - Yonkers NY Post 321 / Pocatello ID

1943 - Richfield MN Post 435 / Springfield OH

1944 - Cincinnati OH Post 50 / Albermarle NC

1947 - Cincinnati OH Post 50 / Little Rock AR Post 1

1949 - Oakland CA Post 337 / Cincinnati OH Post 507

1952 - Cincinnati OH Post 50 / San Diego CA Post 364

1953 - Yakima WA Post 36 / Winnetka IL Post 10

1955 - Cincinnati OH Post 216 / Washington DC Post 31

1957 - Cincinnati OH Post 50 / Portland OR Post 102

1958 - Cincinnati OH Post 50 / Everett MA Post 176

1959 - Detroit MI Post 187 / Hampton VA Post 48

1961 - Phoenix AZ Post 1 / Cincinnati OH Post 554

1967 - Tuscaloosa AL Post 34 / Northbrook IL Post 791

1971 - West Covina CA Post 790 / Cedar Rapids IA Post 5

1975 - Yakima WA Post 36 / Cedar Rapids IA Post 5

1976 - Santa Monica CA Post 123 / Des Plaines IL Post 36

1977 - South Bend IN Post 50 / Hattiesburg MS Post 78

1983 - Edina MN Post 471 / Boyertown PA Post 471

1988 - Cincinnati OH Post 507 / Boyertown PA Post 471

1991 - Brooklawn NJ Post 72 / Newark OH Post 85

1992 - Newbury Park CA / Arlington Heights IL Post 208

1998 - Edwardsville IL Post 199 / Cherryville NC Post 100

1999 - New Brighton MN Post 513 / Kennewick WA Post 34

2002 - West Point MS Post 212 / Excelsior MN Post 259

2006 - Metairie LA Post 175 / Terre Haute IN Post 346

2007 - Columbia TN Post 19 / Eden Prairie MN

2009 - Midland MI Post 165 / Medford OR Post 15

2010 - Midwest City OK Outlaws / Eden Prairie MN

2011 - Eden Prairie MN / Tupelo MS Post 49

2014 - Brooklawn NJ Post 72 / Midland MI Post 165

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