| Jorgensen Wins MVP |
| Unlike first two awards, this voting not close |
| Jorgensen dominated the offense for the Zolman Tire/SK team this season, winning the triple crown while drawing a team high 22 walks. |
Mishawaka-
Call him the David Ortiz of softball.
TJ Jorgensen, designated hitter and first baseman, won the Zolman Tire/Street
Kids Softball team Most Valuable Player award Monday, taking in 74% of the
total votes. Randy Krill finished a distant second with 12% of the votes while
Dan Garey, Joe Richard and Robbie Hurt all tallied 4% each.
"It's nice to be honored by your teammates," said Jorgensen. "When you're
known for basically being a DH, it's hard to get the attention a lot of players who
also standout defensively get. The other voters who read the web site or have
played with me or our team on other nights probably voted mainly on stats, but
when your teammates vote for you, it feels nice."
Jorgensen, who began his first full season of softball with the Street Kids in
1997, led the team this season in batting (.659), home runs (37), RBI's (102),
walks (22), hits (91) and games (43).
"His stats speak for themselves," says Joe Richard, a teammate since 2000.
"He's the heart and soul of our offense and when he is on defense he is a key
mouth piece."
"His powerful offense offsets his somewhat defense," added Tony Hardiman. "I
Call him the David Ortiz of softball.
TJ Jorgensen, designated hitter and first baseman, won the Zolman Tire/Street
Kids Softball team Most Valuable Player award Monday, taking in 74% of the
total votes. Randy Krill finished a distant second with 12% of the votes while
Dan Garey, Joe Richard and Robbie Hurt all tallied 4% each.
"It's nice to be honored by your teammates," said Jorgensen. "When you're
known for basically being a DH, it's hard to get the attention a lot of players who
also standout defensively get. The other voters who read the web site or have
played with me or our team on other nights probably voted mainly on stats, but
when your teammates vote for you, it feels nice."
Jorgensen, who began his first full season of softball with the Street Kids in
1997, led the team this season in batting (.659), home runs (37), RBI's (102),
walks (22), hits (91) and games (43).
"His stats speak for themselves," says Joe Richard, a teammate since 2000.
"He's the heart and soul of our offense and when he is on defense he is a key
mouth piece."
"His powerful offense offsets his somewhat defense," added Tony Hardiman. "I
thought it could go to Randy or TJ, but I'm glad TJ won. He
deserved it."
"I know that Jorgensen's glove has more holes than swiss
chees," said a comical Bill Hayes, a teammate of Jorgensen's
for nine years and friend of over 20 years. "but the offensive
numbers are hard to discount. How many games would have
been won without him in the lineup? Not too many."
Other people felt it would be difficult to award Jorgensen the
MVP because he is primarily a one dimensional (offensive)
player.
"I felt Robbie was a good MVP candidate," said team owner
Xave Creary. "I had TJ in my David Ortiz catagory, where its
hard for a DH to win MVP. Robbie played consistantly all
season, never complained no matter where he batted in the
lineup or on the field.
deserved it."
"I know that Jorgensen's glove has more holes than swiss
chees," said a comical Bill Hayes, a teammate of Jorgensen's
for nine years and friend of over 20 years. "but the offensive
numbers are hard to discount. How many games would have
been won without him in the lineup? Not too many."
Other people felt it would be difficult to award Jorgensen the
MVP because he is primarily a one dimensional (offensive)
player.
"I felt Robbie was a good MVP candidate," said team owner
Xave Creary. "I had TJ in my David Ortiz catagory, where its
hard for a DH to win MVP. Robbie played consistantly all
season, never complained no matter where he batted in the
lineup or on the field.
But we do play an offensive game, and TJ is a major part of our offense."
"If we played in the majors, I think it would be hard for TJ to win the MVP," said a teammate that wanted to
remain anonymous. "Baseball is such a complete game where one man cannot make a major difference. I've seen
TJ knock in 10-12 runs a night at times, and single handedly defeat a team. From a softball standpoint, he's our
MVP."
"Honestly, I think Robbie had the MVP locked up until the final two weeks of the season," Jorgensen said. "He and
I battled all season for the batting title, and with three weeks remaining, he actually took the lead. He had my vote.
But he struggled down the stretch and if it was not for guys like Dave Morrical, Ryan Harlacher, Chad Doan and
myself, we may not have pulled out that undefeated season."
"If we played in the majors, I think it would be hard for TJ to win the MVP," said a teammate that wanted to
remain anonymous. "Baseball is such a complete game where one man cannot make a major difference. I've seen
TJ knock in 10-12 runs a night at times, and single handedly defeat a team. From a softball standpoint, he's our
MVP."
"Honestly, I think Robbie had the MVP locked up until the final two weeks of the season," Jorgensen said. "He and
I battled all season for the batting title, and with three weeks remaining, he actually took the lead. He had my vote.
But he struggled down the stretch and if it was not for guys like Dave Morrical, Ryan Harlacher, Chad Doan and
myself, we may not have pulled out that undefeated season."
Hurt indeed was one of the most consistant players this season, earning a nomination for the Comeback Player of the Year award, eventually
won by Dave Morrical. His ability to play multiple positions put him in the same class as Krill, who stepped up big in the fall session as pitcher
and helped lead the team to the fall league championship.
But when all the hoopla and hollaring is done and the season is wrapped up, it still comes down to a team effort. Every person on the team
played a role at one time or another. Winning the MVP, in Jorgensen's eyes, does not mean anything except respect.
"I appreciate the respect from my teammates, but I can remember all season where someone on this team stepped up and had a huge hit to win
us a game or give us the lead at some time. We're all MVP's at one time or another."
Jorgensen will be honored at this week's banquet.
won by Dave Morrical. His ability to play multiple positions put him in the same class as Krill, who stepped up big in the fall session as pitcher
and helped lead the team to the fall league championship.
But when all the hoopla and hollaring is done and the season is wrapped up, it still comes down to a team effort. Every person on the team
played a role at one time or another. Winning the MVP, in Jorgensen's eyes, does not mean anything except respect.
"I appreciate the respect from my teammates, but I can remember all season where someone on this team stepped up and had a huge hit to win
us a game or give us the lead at some time. We're all MVP's at one time or another."
Jorgensen will be honored at this week's banquet.