VOTE FOR YOUR FAV RIVERHAWK

FROM PRESS RELEASE - LOVES PARK, Ill. – If a Rockford RiverHawk has reached double digits in home runs, it's fairly likely he's a first baseman. Half of the top six single-season home-run totals in the team record book were recorded by first baseman.

In addition, one was signed by the New York Yankees and three others helped the RiverHawks reach the postseason. It's up to fans to determine who was the top first baseman in team history.

In celebration of their 10th season, the RiverHawks are offering fans the chance to decide who is the greatest player in team history at each position, from starting pitcher to shortstop to outfield. Votes can be cast at the team website, www.rockfordriverhawks.com.

Voting will switch to a new position approximately every 7-10 days. Winners will be announced at the end of each voting period and all will be acknowledged at a game this summer with an all-time RiverHawks poster, co-sponsored by Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet and The Hemmens, to be given out at a game to be announced.

The newest position is first base. The finalists, determined by a panel of longtime members of the organization, are:

Jayson Drobiak (2002) – Drobiak spent less than a full season with the RiverHawks, but he was a key hitter in the very first season. The Frontier League All-Star hit .365 with 11 home runs and 43 RBI before he signed with the Yankees in late July. He homered twice in Kalamazoo on his final night in a Rockford uniform. Coincidentally, the following year in the New York system, he edged Prince Fielder for the Midwest League home-run title.

Matt Hagen (2007) – Hagen was a key middle-of-the-order hitter on the last RiverHawks team to reach the postseason. He hit .335 with 13 home runs – at the time, the third-best season in team history – and 62 RBI. 

Will Henderson (2007) – Henderson, a teammate of Hagen, batted .265 with nine home runs and 40 RBI in his only season with Rockford.

Aaron McEachran (2004-05) – McEachran was the cleanup hitter for the 2004 championship team. He hit .332, second in the league, with 11 home runs and 62 RBI.
The two-time All-Star hit 25 homers, third all-time, in a Rockford uniform. He also spent a year as the team's hitting coach after his playing career.

Patrick O'Sullivan (2010) – O'Sullivan threatened the team's single-season home run record until his only Rockford season ended early because of injury. O'Sullivan still hit .287 with 13 home runs, two short of the record, and 50 RBI.

The Hemmens Cultural Center is located in downtown Elgin. From contemporary music and theatre to shows for the whole family, The Hemmens features popular acts in an intimate setting.

Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet of Rockford is Winnebago's County's premier Chevy dealer. Lou Bachrodt is located near Cherryvale Mall, just minutes from the stadium.

Voters can view a player's statistics online by clicking on the player's name at the poll.

Opening Night for the RiverHawks' 10th season is 7:05 p.m. Thursday, May 26, when they host Schaumburg. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visitwww.rockfordriverhawks.com.