OPINION: Reese Was Robbed

The Northwoods League announced its postseason awards on Sunday afternoon, and somehow Rox starter Reese Gregory was not named Pitcher of the Year.

The complaint alone, taken at face value, may come off as a bit of homerism for the former Apollo Eagle and current St. Cloud State Husky. However, the numbers alone say the Gregory was gaffled by the NWL in 2014.

Let me begin by saying that the 2014 Pitcher of the Year, Matt Kent of Rochester, is a worthy candidate for the honor. My argument here is in no way, shape or form meant to disparage his talent level or the season that he had for the Honkers.

Kent, a 6'0", 175 lbs sophomore lefty from Texas A&M, was 3-3 (T-49th in NWL) this season for Rochester with a 2.08 ERA (5th in NWL). In 77.2 innings pitched (2nd), Kent struck out 69  batters (2nd) while walking just ten and allowing 63 hits.

The Honkers were 7-5 in games in which Kent pitched, and in fairness they scored one run or less in three of those losses.

Gregory, a 6'0", 200 lbs sophomore, was 7-2 (1st in NWL) this season with a 1.69 ERA (1st in NWL) and 71 strikeouts (1st). He won the pitching version of the Triple Crown, and somehow was overlooked for the honor.

The righty allowed just 50 hits in 69 innings pitched and walked just 16 batters. The Rox were 9-3 in games Gregory started.

The Honkers and Rox each finished with 37-35 records on the season, so it isn't as if Kent was nudged ahead by leading his team to the playoffs.

If the Northwoods League is going to hand out an award called Pitcher of the Year, it is insane that the leader in most statistical categories does not win it.