This is the second in a series of articles on candidates for the Illowa League Hall of Fame.
Shawn Green played 13 seasons in the Ilowa League, splitting time between the Bunchies. He had a slow start to his career, not really breaking out and playing full-time until his fourth season, 1999, when he hit 36 homers, stole 34 bases, and scored 121 runs. That started a streak of eight seasons where he played in at least 152 games, scoring and driving in 100+ runs four times. His best season was 2002, when he hit .295/.363/.589 with 46 homers, 24 steals, 135 runs scored, and 130 RBI. After 2006 he faded fast, and after two seasons as a part timer, retired. [more after the jump]
Green’s numbers are not terribly impressive for an outfielder of his day overall, but his best seasons match up with anyone, and he was also a strong fielder. He probably doesn’t have much of a chance of making it into the IAL Hall of Fame, but for a period of five or six seasons, he was one of the best in the league.
He ranks 22nd in doubles, 43rd in homers, and 49th in RBI for his career. His 59 doubles in 2004 are the 14th highest single season total.
Shawn Green
Games: 1787
At-Bats: 6,204
Hits: 1,595
Runs: 995
Doubles: 426
Triples: 23
Homers: 280
RBI: 940
Walks: 633
Strikeouts: 1,317
Stolen Bases: 163
AVG/OBP/SLG: .257/.327/.469
I’m not quite ready to vote for Green but dang he had a better career than I thought.
4 100+ rbi years and 4 100+ runs… not bad .