Once again, I’ve come to the 22nd of 22 Shorebirds of the Week I select each season.
As always I get to the end of August and realize that there are a number of players I’ve overlooked throughout the season because others had better weeks or perhaps a solid overall body of work I had to acknowledge. Once again this was the case in 2009, but then the Orioles made my life a little easier by calling up to Frederick a couple of players who would have been strong contenders for the final weekly honor.
However, in looking at those players I hadn’t previously selected I noticed that it took until August for this week’s honoree to have a solid month with reasonably consistent playing time and he responded to the challenge splendidly, with his .271 batting average for the month being by far his best and a sizzling .920 OPS showing he was the complete package at the plate. He also hit both his home runs and lifted his average from .204 to his current mark of .233 since the end of July.
But Jacob Julius did much more during the season off the field – obviously there was a long stretch from late May through early July where he had no choice because of a wrist injury sidelining him. That aspect was rewarded at a recent pregame ceremony where Mountaire Farms presented Jacob with a Humanitarian Award for his community service. (I believe this was the first time someone was so honored.)
One may look at his overall season numbers (.233/2/10 in 54 games) and consider Jacob just another organization player – after all the 23-year-old Indiana native wasn’t drafted out of the University of Arkansas until the 33rd round in 2007. But as we look ahead to the offseason and perhaps this week being the last baseball hurrah for some of those currently playing for the Shorebirds, it’s also time to think about these players as young men playing in the game of life and it’s there that character counts for much more than the ability to lay off a breaking ball in the dirt.
Jacob is an example who was recognized, but many of this year’s Shorebirds should end up winners in life even if they don’t reach The Show. I appreciate the talent these young men show on the field, but those who become favorite players of mine also find a way to interact and show their appreciation for those who watch them.
Because we now know that Delmarva won’t be making a postseason appearance, next week will be a season wrapup and I’ll reveal my Shorebird of the Year for 2009. The following Thursday I’ll complete the 2009 coverage with my Shorebird picks and pans for 2009 and debut my Shorebird of the Week Hall of Fame page!
