September 20, 1983
Oshkosh, WI
Most Valuable Valentine
The streets of
Oshkosh were filled today as the fans lined four deep to get a look at yet another HBL Championship trophy, the team's third in the league's six year history. Several of the team's players have been lucky enough to experience multiple championships but it was
Ed Valentine's first and he was center stage as team President and GM Dan Stamey awarded him the HBL Championship MVP Award. The 29 year old Valentine was out of work during spring training of 1982 when the Outlaws came calling with a veteran minimum contract. Valentine headed south and had negotiated a one year extension before the 1982 season had even started. On June 20th the team rewarded his hard work with a three year extension could earn him as much as $625 K if all of his options are picked up.
If his work in the HBL Championship Series is any idication of what is to come then I'm sure he will pocket that money. Valentine waited until the brightest of lights were on him to pitch his first career shutout against a pitcher,
Will Callahan of
Canton, that has 30 more career victories and a lot more hoopla. He followed up that game one gem with a one run performance in game four that put the title aspirations back on track.
For the Series he pitched 16 innings over two starts allowing just nine hits and one run for a 0.56 ERA. He also notched six strikeouts to go with his one complete game, shutout. Congratulations to Ed Valentine!!