Josh Bonifay Named Appy League Manager of the Year

Greeneville's first year manager, Josh Bonifay, was named the Appy League Manager of the Year yesterday.  Bonifay has lead Greeneville to a 35-26 record despite having no Appy League All-Stars on his roster.  The G-Stros are currently a half game back of Kingsport in the race for the Appy West title and are two and a half games ahead of Elizabethton for the wild card spot.

Bonifay has been required to mix and match pieces as his roster has been impacted by frequent moves and injuries.  The following players have been promoted during the 2013 season: Bobby Borchering (.259) to Quad Cities, Jack Mayfield (.255), J.D. Osborne (0.00 ERA), Tyler Brunnemann (4.66 ERA), Tyler White (.344), Troy Scribner (0.00 ERA), Gonzalo Sanudo (1.29 ERA), Edison Frias (3.09 ERA), and Krishawn Holley (2.41 ERA) to Tri-City.

Add to those defections, the loss of Brett Phillips to an injured hand.  Phillips has just played in one game since July 29th. He is an important part of the top of the line up and an key defensive piece in center field. 

Another indication of the juggling that Bonifay has done is that thus far, is the lack of constancy he has had in his line up.  Only five players have appeared in 2/3 of the G-Stros 61 games.  They are: Juan Santana (54 gms - .234), Tanner Mathis (54 gms - .262), Ariel Ovando (47 gms - .222), Marc Wik (44 gms- .269), and Chase McDonald (40 gms - .260).

Under Bonifay, the G-Stros have set records for most walks taken as a team (282 and counting) and a player (Tanner Mathis - 43).  The old records for the team were 256 in 2004.  For an individual, the season record was 37 by Brandon Caipen in 2006 and the career record was 42 by Devon Torrance in 07-08.  They have also set a team record with 36 sacrifice hits.  The old record was 25 in 2004.  Juan Santana has 10 of those sac hits. 

They have also set the team record for number of saves in a season with 22.  The old record was 19 set in 2004 and 2009.  They still have a shot at setting new records for fewest hits allowed, fewest runs allowed and fewest earned runs allowed. 

They have also had team record winning streaks of seven games and 10 games. 

Congrats to Josh Bonifay on this recognition. He is the second G-Stro manager to receive this award (Tim Bogar 2004).