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Mathis Named N.L. Defensive Player of the Year

Joe Mathis, the 2006 Northern League Player of the Year, was voted the Top Defensive Player for the second straight season. He has also been named to the Northern League Post Season All-Star Team twice in his career (2006 and 2007).

The 5-11, 185-pounder, started 83 games in center field for the RedHawks. In 195 total chances, he committed only two errors (.990 fielding percentage) in helping lead the RedHawks team defense to the second-best fielding percentage (.975) in the league and the pitching staff to the top-ranked team ERA (4.37) in the league. 2008 marked the fifth straight season that Mathis started over 80 games in center field for the RedHawks (83 G–2008, 87 G–2007, 96 G–2006, 90 G–2005, 96 G–2004).

The 34-year-old veteran of 16 seasons, was originally drafted in the 27th round of the 1993 draft by the Seattle Mariners. After seven years in the Mariners organization playing as high as Triple-A, he played three years with the Newark Bears (Atlantic League) before joining the RedHawks in 2003.

2008 Top Fielding Percentage by Position

Pos.     Player                           Fielding Pct.     Team
1B        Mike Rohde                   .995                 Gary SouthShore RailCats
2B        Eric McNamee               .977                 Gary SouthShore RailCats
3B        Jeff Eure                        .963                 Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
SS        Max Poulin                    .983                 Winnipeg Goldeyes
C          John Martin                    .992                 Kansas City T-Bones
OF        Rob Marconi                  .996                 Gary SouthShore RailCats
P          Aaron Trolia                  1.000                 Joliet JackHammers

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