Bridgeport, CT –September 25th– The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball announced that Bridgeport Bluefish first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke has been named the Player of the Year along with Newark first baseman Victor Rodriguez.
Hoorelbeke had a career year in his first stint with the Bluefish on the way to winning this award. Hoorelbeke set personal career highs with 33 home runs, 96 RBIs, and 86 runs. The 33 home runs not only led the Atlantic League but also broke the previous single-season Bluefish record of 26 held by Kinnis Pledger in 1998 and Oreste Marrero in 2002. His 96 RBIs broke the single-season Bluefish record of 93 held by Jose Amado in 2004. This amazing offensive performance also landed him the first baseman spot on the 2007 Atlantic League All-Star Team.
Bluefish third baseman Jay Caligiuri was also named to the 2007 Atlantic League All-Star Team after finishing top 10 in batting. Caligiuri won the Bluefish Batting Title this 2007 season finishing with a .320 batting average over 111 games. He finished second on the Bluefish with 78 RBIs on the season and led the team with 33 doubles, one shy of the Bluefish single-season record set by Oreste Marrero in 2001.
Hoorelbeke tied with Newark first baseman Victor Rodriguez for the Player of the Year award. Rodriguez led the league with a .365 batting average and 159 hits while also finishing second in the league with 98 RBIs.
The Bridgeport Bluefish Professional Baseball Club, a charter team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, plays its home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, located off Exit 27 of I-95 on the corner of Broad Street and South Frontage Road in Bridgeport. 2008 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 203-345-4800. Visit the Bluefish online at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.
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