The 2005 Westy Awards

The 2005 Westy Awards
posted by Jim West

Well folks, it is that time of the year again. I, of course, am talking about the time I look back on the wiffle season and name my all-Westy team. As was the case last year, winners will be treated to an awards dinner where they will be given their award as well as some words of wisdom from this man, Jack Cust's dad (pictured at last year's event with Westy winner Mike P.).

For those of you new to the league, the Westy goes players who most exhibit a blend of fierce competitiveness, taking the game in stride, and having a good time playing wiffleball while keeping a low profile. While the all-stars are clearly too good to be liked, and the fun-stars goof around too much to be good, the Westy recipient is a blend of everything mediocre without excelling at anything. Most of all, a Westy winner is liked by most of the people in the league. .

Without further ado let's get to the awards.

Eagan
Erik "Seibs" Seiberlich
In 2005, Seibs was often overshadowed by all-star teammate Doc allowing him to snag his first Westy award.   A solid .209 hitter, Seibs did not lead in any batting categories while participating in the majority of the Tiger's games.  Seibs' pitching was almost too good to earn the nod, but his struggles at the plate earned him his first ever Westy award.

Tim "Molgs" Molgren
Molgs of the Indians is dying to get noticed for his pitch speed. Trying to pitch fast while constantly being complimented for controlling your speed is a hallmark of a Westy man. The fact that he batted .322 with 13 HRs almost eliminated him from this years all-Westy team but his desire to find his niche on the Indians while pitching in a relief role, shows that he has a lot of Westy potential. 

Tony Thompson
Tony of the Mets almost disqualified himself because he lead the league in sacrifice flies with 6.  However, the award committee reviewed his performance and decided the sac flies are a true measure of mediocrity since a good player would have gotten a hit and driven the runner home and a bad player would have gotten out without scoring the runner.  This trait will become a benchmark for future Westy hopefuls to reach.  

Hopkins
DJ "D-Tox" Tucci  
D-Tox had a solid Westy season.  Overshadowed by Cousin Dave for most of the year, D-Tox notched 2 wins and 6 losses with a 6.25 ERA while batting .182 with 6 HRs. Good but not great.  The factor that sealed the Westy award for D.J. was being one of the most fun people in the Hopkins division while flying under the radar.  

Kevin "Washman" Washington
Washman achieved this award despite his lack of pitching experience. Compensating for Tugboat and The Man's intensity, Washman came to the rink with a relaxed attitude that contributed to the team's likeability. Washman even improved his teammate Colin's standing in the league by allowing him to use the Tugboat^© nickname-- a move that help propel him to a Sticky Paw Award.

All of the Dodgers except Dutch
Though the Dodgers record of 8-30 seems below average, the wiffle Dodgers as a team exemplified what a Westy award winner is all about.  Having a competitive spirit and never giving up, while promoting fun in the league. They may have finished at the bottom of the Hopkins NL but you would never know it playing against them.  Their desire to win combined with happy go lucky attitudes earn them a team Westy award. Unfortunately, Dutch was disqualified for participating in the fun-star game.  Maybe next year, Wildman.