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Bulls Announce Post-Season Awards
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On Thursday, August 31, 2006, the Durham Bulls announced the winners of several post-season awards including the Goodmon Awards, the Dillard’s Barbecue Fan Favorite Award and the local media’s Good Guy Award.
Bulls outfielder Darnell McDonald took home three of the awards, including the Community Service Award, the Fan Favorite and a share of the Good Guy Award along with infielder Kevin Witt, who was also named Team MVP. Juan Salas won Pitcher of the Year and infielder Brent Butler won the Team Spirit Award.
Durham Bulls Outfielder Darnell McDonald |
McDonald emerged this season from the shadows of several high-profile teammates to establish himself as one of the International League’s top outfielders. The 27-year-old leads the IL with 152 base hits, and is third with 80 runs scored. He was named to the league’s post-season all-star team earlier in the week.
When he wasn’t racking up big totals on the field, he was bringing smiles to youngsters at Duke and North Carolina Childrens’ Hospitals. McDonald signed autographs, took pictures and played games with the young fans every month during the 2006 season. |
Durham Bulls Infielder Kevin Witt |
Witt continues to rack up the awards, winning the International League MVP, the Triple-A All-Star Game MVP and now the Bulls’ Team MVP. Though he has been with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for almost a week, Witt still leads the International League with 36 home runs, 99 runs batted in, 82 runs scored, 66 extra-base hits and a .557 slugging percentage. He is second in the league with 141 hits. |
Durham Bulls Pitcher Juan Salas |
Salas joined the Bulls in mid-June and solidified the bullpen, posting a 1.57 ERA in 27 appearances. In 28.2 innings he allowed only 15 hits and 11 walks while striking out 33. Salas pitched for the World Team in the 2007 All-Star Futures Game. |
Durham Bulls Infielder Brent Butler |
Butler spent the entire 2006 season with the Bulls, one of only three players (Shawn Riggans, Darnell McDonald) who can make that claim. Butler played steady defense in the outfield and infield while chipping in offensively with a .269 batting average and 26 doubles, third best on the team. |
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About the Goodmon Awards…
Named after Durham Bulls and Capitol Broadcasting Company CEO Jim Goodmon, the Goodmon Awards are given every year to the players in the areas of Team Spirit, Community Service, MVP, Pitching and Fan Favorite. The awards are handed out on the final game of the Bulls home season every year, and the players’ names are put on a giant plaque in the lobby of the team’s front office.
About the Good Guy Award…
In its second year, the Good Guy Award is presented by local media members who regularly cover the Bulls recognizing a player who has been most cordial and cooperative in dealing with the media over the course of the season.
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Thanks to DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story & these capcom photos.
