#1 Reliever: Jimmy Stanley

Well, here we are!  We've finally arrived at my last reliever, after a process that began with a post on my #10 hitter, Corey O'Neill, which went up on August 29, 2007.

So without further ado, the best reliever in the Valley League in the summer of 2007 is... Jimmy Stanley, the junior righthander from Belmont. Stanley was hugely important to the Waynesboro Generals' run to the VBL championship; in fact, he was on the mound when the Generals clinched each of their three playoff series.

His stats show his dominance: Jimmy went 3-0, 1.15, with 13 saves, a 0.96 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9, 12.1 K/9, and .160 opponent's batting average. Jimmy gave up runs in only 3 of his 24 appearances, while the Generals went 22-2 in those 24 games (the team went 15-14 in games Stanley did not pitch).

The game that best shows Stanley's clutch pitching for the Generals occurred on August 2nd, in game 3 of the best-of-three opening round playoff series against the Woodstock River Bandits (in Waynesboro).  The teams were knotted at 4 when Stanley entered the game in the top of the 10th inning. He proceeded to pitch 6 shutout innings until the top of the 16th inning, when the Bandits pushed across a run, only to have the Generals answer with 2 in the bottom of the inning to send Waynesboro to the second round. Before that night, the most batters Stanley faced in one outing was 6; he faced 29 that evening.  Without Stanley's gutsy pitching that night, the Generals, most likely, would not have been in the position to win the Jim Lineweaver Cup.

I asked Jimmy how the Generals were able to win it all. He said, "Well, our success was due to our determination and unity. In summer leagues it is hard to form a bond with players that you know you will only be playing with for one summer and may never get to see or play with again, but I felt that our team became really close and enjoyed playing with one another." 

Stanley, who throws a four seam fastball, curveball, and circle change, also has something extra to contend with in his life: he has Type 1 Diabetes.  He credits his roommate, Danny Williamson, with helping to push him to work hard during the summer, even the day after his huge game against Woodstock.

Jimmy played at Marshall in his freshman year, when he went 3-0, 8.33, with a 1.74 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, and 4.6 K/9 in 27 innings. He transferred to Belmont for his sophomore year, when we went 3-1, 4.74, with 2 saves, a 1.55 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, and 7.6 K/9 in 38 innings.

Jimmy will unfortunately not return to the Valley League next summer, as he has accepted an opportunity to pitch in the Northwoods League.  The Generals will miss him, but hopefully the extra exposure will help him in the long run, and he will be able to pitch professionally. 

                        Danny Williamson, Jim Critzer, and Stanley  (Courtesy Haymarket Joe) 
 

Comments

[GeneralSignGuyMike]

Hands down the best pitcher this year, yes both Luray pitchers were great starters but I did remember those numbers there 22-2 when Stanley pitched, one game yes was the game we was trying to clinch the regular season at home but lost to Luray 4-3 when he came in already down at that score in relief in the 8th, the other I think was at Woodstock or Winchester! By far the 16th inning opening round game when Stanley pitched 6 innings in relief was one of his best 3 performances of the year! THANK YOU JIMMY for a great season and good luck in the Northwoods League and hopefully see u in the majors within 5 years, the Generals fans will never forget what u did!

[GeneralSignGuyMike]

I was just looking now at the Northwoods League 14 teams rosters didn't see him on any team thou 2 teams didn't have a full roster. I would love to see him back. The season is almost here 1 month away just about and I can't wait!

[Fife]

Good choice - I watched Jimmy pitch that game and was amazed. The next day at the Y where I work I talked to him about last night's effort and that he probably would be shut down for a few games to get his arm strength back. His response surprised me. He said he could go tonight if needed.

We really miss that kid. Do you know where he's playing this summer?