BRINKLEY NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Calgary Vipers centrefielder Darryl Brinkley has been named the 2007 Northern League Player of the Year. Brinkley was a near unanimous selection as he collected 95% of the first place votes. He became the first player in Northern League history to hit .400 in a season, shattering the league record of .376 held by Adam Olow of the Saint Paul Saints in 2004.  Brinkley also eclipsed the Northern League record for hits finishing the season with 150, seven more than Lincoln’s Brian Warner in 2005. The 38-year-old veteran also led the league in runs scored with 88, on-base percentage at .456, and intentional walks with 11.  He was second in the league in slugging percentage at .603 and total bases with 226. Brinkley was third in the league with 82 runs batted in and 32 doubles. He finished fourth in the league with 47 extra base hits.

 

The Norwalk, CT resident was the Player of the Month in June after receiving the player of the week twice on June 11th and June 25th. Brinkley also finished the season with the longest hitting streak in the league at 23 games which he accomplished from May 18th to June 13th. He also chipped in with 18 stolen bases and three outfield assists.

 

Brinkley was also announced as Sportsticker's "Star of Stars" recipient. Sportsticker is the official statistician of the Northern League and this award is given annually by Sportsticker to the player with the best overall statistical performance in their particular league.