WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Wingnuts learned on Saturday that Kevin Hooper has been named the 2009 American Association Manager of the Year.
In just his first season as a professional manager, Hooper guided the Wingnuts to a virtual wire-to-wire victory in the first half. Wichita went a league-best 32-16, clinching the first half title with six games left to play and winning with an eventual margin of nine games ahead of the second place team.
In the second half, Hooper has led the Wingnuts on a late charge that has seen the Wingnuts win 21 of its last 31 games, overtaking sole possession of first place for the first time in the second half with a win over Grand Prairie on Friday night.
"This is very well-deserving for Kevin", said Wingnuts' General Manager Josh Robertson. "Kevin is a first class person on and off the field. To put a team like this together in his first year, it goes to show he is just as impressive as a manager as he was as a player. I'm very proud to have him as our manager."
At 32-years old, Hooper saw seven of his players appear in the 2009 All-Star Game at Grand Prairie, four of which started for the North Division in a 6-2 win. Friday afternoon, five more of Hooper's players were named to the Postseason All-Star Team, which encompassed players from the entire league.
Offensively, the Wingnuts rank second in batting average (.288), first in home runs (86), and tied for third in runs scored (501). The Wingnuts lead the league in pitching with a 3.51 ERA, more than half a run better than second place. Wichita's pitching staff has also issued the fewest walks (314) and home runs (38) this season. Entering this week, the Wingnuts' .981 team fielding percentage also paced the American Association. At 58-36, the Wingnuts have already clinched the best overall record in the league this year.
Hooper starred for the Wingnuts last season, leading the American Association in hitting at .373, 40 points better than anyone else. The Lawrence, KS native capped off a 10-year playing career by being voted to both the mid-season and postseason all-star teams and was named the Wingnuts' field manager on November 5th, 2008.
A four-year star at Wichita State University in which he hit .358, Hooper still ranks in the top-10 in Shocker history in many offensive categories. Hooper was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the eighth round in 1999 and eventually made it to the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers in 2005 and 2006. Hooper spent six years of his playing career at the AAA level, including back-to-back championships with the International League's Toledo Mud Hens in 2005 and 2006.
The first place Wingnuts continue a three-game series tonight with the Grand Prairie AirHogs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Meanwhile, playoff tickets are now on sale for September 4th, 5th, and 6th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. For more information, contact the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-4625.
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