SportsLife 2016, issue 5 | Page 37

luff h e The lefthanded ace, Kevin McGovern Josh Romanski celebrates a home run. This team was close and it showed. Photo by Dan LeMoal Goldeyes Champs By Scott Taylor, Photos by Jeff and Tara Miller and Dan LeMoal It was an amazing season for the Winnipeg Goldeyes. They were 21-22 on July 11, when manager Rick Forney released struggling closer Jailen Peguero and traded for slugger Willie Cabrera. Later he added set-up man Victor Capellan and closer Winston Abreu and suddenly the Goldeyes were a threat. They went 37-20 down the stretch, qualified for the playoffs on the final day of the season and then, as the Wild Card, beat St. Paul and Wichita to win the third championship in franchise history. Reggie Abercrombie was American Association Man of the Year, David Rohm was the MVP in the All-Star Game and Rohm and Willie Cabrera were post-season all-stars. It was quite an amazing season. l American Association Man of the Year Reggie Abercrombie, the all-time home run leader in the American Association The right-handed ace, Mikey O’Brien Willie Cabrera changed the trajectory of the Goldeyes season Adam Heisler overcame injuries and hit .308 in the playoffs All-Star first baseman David Rohm sportslife / 37