Five Ducks receive 2014 honors
(Central Islip, N.Y., Oct. 27, 2014) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced the 2014 Postseason All-Star Team. Outfielder/hitting coach Lew Ford and outfielder Adam Bailey received first team honors, while outfielder Fehlandt Lentini and infielders Cody Puckett and Brendan Harris all earned second team honors. The league will be announcing other honors, including Player of the Year, in separate announcements later this week.
“Each season the talent-level of our All-Star teams continues to amaze us,” said Joe Klein, Executive Director of the Atlantic League. “We are proud of the quality of play in the Atlantic League and feel the performance of our teams improves each season. The League is quite proud of these deserving athletes.”
Ford put together one of the best offensive seasons in Atlantic League history and made a great case for himself as a Player of the Year candidate. The 38-year-old set a league record with 189 hits and became the first player in league history to play in all 140 games during the regular season. He led the Atlantic League in doubles (40) during the 2014 campaign and finished second in the league in batting average (.347), RBI (95), runs (100), total bases (278) and on-base percentage (.415). Ford earned Atlantic League Player of the Month honors in May and was selected to play in the Atlantic League All-Star Game in July. His defense was also outstanding, as the former big leaguer did not commit a single error in 97 games played in the field.
Bailey was a force at the plate throughout 2014 for Long Island. He finished the year tied for sixth in the Atlantic League with a .301 batting average, tied for third in home runs with 20 and fourth in runs batted in with 89. In addition to those numbers, he added 147 hits, 65 runs, 23 doubles and four triples. The 26-year-old was chosen to play in the Atlantic League All-Star Game in July, and in August, he was named the league’s Player of the Month after batting .330. Defensively, Bailey committed just four errors and compiled seven outfield assists over 124 games played in the field.
Lentini was a wrecking force on the basepaths this past season. He ended the year a perfect 46-for-46 in the stolen base department and ranked second in the Atlantic League in steals behind Wilson Valdez of York (55). The 37-year-old led the league in at bats (593), a new league record, and finished second in hits (172), third in runs (96) and games played (137) and fourth in doubles (36). He also chipped in with six homers, 63 RBI and three triples. Lentini was also superb defensively, compiling a .980 fielding percentage and adding eight outfield assists.
Puckett was impressive during his first season with the Flock. He ended the 2014 campaign with a .298 batting average, good for eighth in the league. In addition, he ranked second in at bats (568) and games played (138) and third in hits (169). Along with those numbers, the 27-year-old finished with 10 home runs, 77 RBI, 64 runs, 17 doubles and two triples. At second base, he compiled a very strong .975 fielding percentage.
Harris was one of the Atlantic League’s most disciplined hitters in 2014. The former Major Leaguer led the Ducks and ranked third in the league with 71 walks. In addition, he posted a .394 on-base percentage, good for fourth in the league. Overall, he batted .286 in 111 games with eight home runs, 53 RBI, 68 runs, 117 hits and 21 doubles. Defensively, the 34-year-old finished the year with a .960 fielding percentage.
The complete list of 2014 Atlantic League Postseason All-Stars can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
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