8/15/2010 1:48:53 AM
Hall of Famer Andre Dawson is this years honorary chairman for the Aflac All american Game. Tonight he started with what I thought would be a boring speech. However it ended up being one with a powerful message to everyone in attendance. Dawson is one Hall of Famer that remains humble and he doesn’t have an ounce of big shot in him. This is a man who is a great representative for the game of baseball and who tells a great story. Baseball people have to appreciate Andre Dawson.
One of Andre’s former teammates with the Cubs, Shawon Dunston, was at the Hall pf Champions in San Diego. Dunston’s son Shawon Jr. is playing for the West Team. I’ve always admired Shawon, his tools are amongst the best ever, but his 100% effort is the cause for respect and admiration. Shawon Dunston played the game as hard as anyone has ever played the game. A first pick of the draft, a superstar athlete, who never dogged it once on my watch.
Daron Sutton, play by play announcer for the Dbacks, and Don Sutton’s son, was the MC.
The proceeds from the game are to benefit the children’s hospital. The main reason for the Aflac game is to raise money to help find a cure for pediatric cancer. The Aflac All american Classic has raised nearly a million dollars for this cause. It’s a real eye opener for all those who participate in this event. Each year the Aflac players visit the Children’s Hospital and it’s a great experience for the children and the players.
Tonight’s awards…
Every Aflac All American received an award. They all join past Aflac All Americans that include 80 first round picks and already 29 former Aflac players who have appeared in the Big leagues in just 7 draft years.
The Baseball America Pitcher of the Year award went to Daniel Norris from Science Hill HS in Tennessee. Norris plays for the East Cobb Yankees in the summer.
The Perfect Game “Nick Adenhart Award” went to Jose Fernandez who escaped Cuba on a small boat a couple years ago. The boat capsized in rough seas tossing his mother overboard. Young Jose dove into the ocean and saved his mother who couldn’t swim. He is now one of the nation’s top pitching prospects. The award goes to the player that best exemplifies the spirit, character, and perseverance that Nick Adenhart displayed as a former Aflac All American. Nick was the starting pitcher for the East Team in the very first Aflac Classic in 2003.
Mark Kramer from Rawlings then announce this year’s top defensive prospect. California catcher Austin Hedges got the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Hedges is an outstanding catcher with outstanding catch and throw skills.
Then Jackie Robinson’s grand daughter, Sonya Pankey, came to the podium to announce this year’s recipient of the nation’s most prestigious high school baseball award, the Jackie Robinson Award. Former winners include Justin Upton, and Bryce Harper from last year’s event. This year’s winner was Daniel Norris from Tennessee. Norris will also be the starting pitcher for the East Team in Sundays nationally televised game.
Four of the nation’s top prospects flew into San Diego this afternoon and were at the banquet. All four played in last nights Connie Mack Championship Game in New Mexico. Midland won the CM World Series defeating Dbat 5-4 in the final championship game. RHP Dylan Bundy (DBat), RHP Archie Bradley (DBat), RHP Dillon Howard (Midland) and C Brandon Sedell (Midland) will all be available for tomorrows nationally televised (FOX) game at Petco Field. The three pitchers are all mid 90s types among the best HS prospects for next years draft. Bradley will throw for sure, while Bundy and Howard are questionable on the mound for tomorrows game. Howard threw the championship game yesterday for Midland, while Bundy threw a complete game on Thursday for DBat. Daniel Norris also threw in the CM World Series for East Cobb, but he is well rested and will start tomorrow at Petco Field.
Home Run final at 4:00 PM tomorrow and the Aflac Game starts at 5:00 PM on FOX. If past results mean anything, this is as good as it gets in high school baseball.
Here are a few past Aflac All Americans to prove that point…
Jason Heyward
Buster Posey
Andrew McCutchen
Mat Latos
Rick Porcello
Ike Davis
Jeremy Hellickson
Neil Walker
Justin Upton
Brett Anderson
Gio Gonzalez
And many others