Ethier wins Stenson Sportsmanship Award

[Providence A's]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/a...=.jsp&sid=l119

Andre Ethier's physical ability earned him several awards this past season. On Wednesday, he added one for his attitude and character.
Ethier, a top outfield prospect for the Oakland Athletics, received the AFL Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award. He was honored in a special on-field ceremony at Phoenix Municipal Stadium before his Phoenix Desert Dogs played the Peoria Javelinas.

The award is given to the player who demonstrates the qualities Stenson brings to the ballpark every day -- having a quiet but hard-nosed attitude, doing the job without complaint and playing the game the way it was meant to be played.

Ethier was named Texas League Player of the Year after batting .319 with 18 home runs and 80 RBIs in 131 games. Selected by Oakland in the second round in 2003, Ethier he won the league's All-Star Game MVP award and Home Run Derby.

The success has carried over to the AFL for the 23-year-old. Entering Wednesday, he was batting .368 with two homers and 20 RBIs in 21 games with the Phoenix Desert Dogs. The effort has certainly impressed teammates.

He's had a great year to say the least. We drafted him twice actually and I hope we keep him.

[awefullspellare]

Sportsmanship... too bad more players don't have that.