Evan picks up another award

Another day, another postseason accolade for former 'Gade Evan Longoria.

Today, the Tampa Bay Rays' third baseman earned a Rawlings Silver Slugger Award, a nice complement to the Gold Glove the second-year big-leaguer picked up earlier this week. Longoria hit .281 this past season — that's nine points higher than in his rookie year — with 33 home runs, 44 doubles and 113 runs batted in. Longoria also finished the year with a .364 on-base percentage and a .526 slugging mark. The lone blemish on his offensive résumé this season: Longoria grounded into 27 double plays this season, tops in the American League. This is the first Silver Slugger award for the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year.

In the summer of '06, Longoria played first eight professional games with Hudson Valley, hitting .424 with four homers, and 11 RBIs.

Longoria wins AL Gold Glove

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who played his first eight games as a pro with the 2006 Renegades, was awarded an American League Gold Glove earlier today.

The defending AL Rookie of the Year played 151 games at third base this season, and made just 13 defensive errors in 427 chances, good enough for a .970 fielding percentage. Additionally, he helped turn 43 double plays from the hot corner; by comparison, Longoria compiled a .958 fielding percentage last year, making a dozen gaffes in the field in his 328 chances. Additionally, the two-time AL All-Star hit .281 with 33 home runs and 113 RBIs in his sophomore season.

Ironically, Longoria also grounded into 27 double plays this season, leading all AL batters.

Watch HVR TV on your PC

Implementing its first phase of its new "Be Your Own Fan" marketing initiative, the Renegades' ownership unveiled its first webisode earlier today.
The first installment of the new Web series, available by clicking here, features representatives from each of the Goldklang Group's minor-league teams, including the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Renegades' management to meet

Officials with the New Jersey-based Goldklang Group, which owns and operates four minor-league teams across the country including the Renegades, are set to hold their annual meetings.

The confab, which will draw executives from the Charleston (S.C.) RiverDogs, St. Paul (Minn.) Saints, Fort Myers (Fla.) Miracle and the Renegades, not to mention the Goldklang Group's top officials, will take place in Atlantic City. In addition to working with each other throughout the baseball season, the group's teams meet during the offseason to talk about, among other things, the upcoming seasons at the various teams.

The Renegades will begin their 17th season in Fishkill in mid-June.

'Gades exec to speak locally

One of the front-office executives responsible for the Renegades' success in recent years will share her expertise at a local college later this week.

Tyler Tumminia, a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School and Mount Saint Mary College, will address this Friday's 14th annual SUNY New Paltz Business Day Conference, sponsored by the school's chapter of the American Marketing Association. The vice president of marketing and operations for the Goldklang Group, which owns and operates several minor-league teams including the 'Gades, will speak at the School of Business from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

Officials said the objective of the conference is to help students develop knowledge and skills to gain a competitive advantage. The workshops and keynote cover a variety of topics considered to be relevant and timely for students.
When she addresses a crowd (like this one at SUNY New Paltz several years ago), Tumminia will be focusing on advertising within the sports world, different media along with the advantages and disadvantages of using certain media.

You can click here for more information about the event.

Former 'Gade is Clemente nominee

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields, who began his pro career with the Renegades in 2001, has been nominated for MLB's Roberto Clemente Award.
Shields, who is 9-10 with a 4.02 ERA with Tampa this season, but it's his work off the field that put him up for the Clemente honor.

For several years, Shields has been active in the Heart Gallery, which deals with foster care for children in need. Fans can click here to read more about Shields' involvement and vote for him.

The award has been handed out annually since 1971, with such winners through the years ranging from Willie Mays, Gary Carter and Brooks Robinson to Craig Biggio, Tony Gwynn and last year's recipient, Albert Pujols. Each year, 30 players throughout MLB (one from each team) are nominated, with the winner being announced during the World Series.

'Gades set single-season attendance record

Direct from the Renegades' home office in Fishkill...

The Hudson Valley Renegades, Short-Season A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, are excited to announce that they have set a new single-season attendance record, along with a new per-game average attendance record. During the 2009 season 165,601 fans went through the turnstiles over 36 openings at Dutchess Stadium while breaking the previous mark of 164,425 set in 2006 that had been accomplished over 37 openings that year.

During the 2009 campaign the Renegades averaged 4,600 fans per game. The average of 4,600 tops the previous per-game average attendance record of 4,526 that was set back in 2005.

Not only did the Renegades set new records in overall attendance and average attendance over the course of the season but they also set a single-game attendance record earlier this year. On Thursday, July 16 when 5,253 fans came out to Dutchess Stadium to watch the Renegades take on the Batavia Muckdogs (affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals). The 5,253 fans in attendance that night marked the largest crowd to ever see a Renegades game at Dutchess Stadium.

“I want to thank the fans for making the 2009 season the best season in Renegades history,” said General Manager Eben Yager. “The fans have always been the heart of the Renegades so this milestone is not only for the Renegades but also for the fans…thank you!”

With the 2009 season coming to an end the entire Renegades staff would like to say thank you to all of our fans for making this season the best in Renegades history.

Make sure to get your 2010 season tickets now and help the Renegades raise the bar even higher and set another attendance record next year. Contact the Renegades box office at 845.838.0094 or visit us on the web at www.hvrenegades.com