Feb. 18, 2008
WACO, Texas -- Baylor junior shortstop Beamer Weems was named to the 2008 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, USA Baseball announced over the weekend. Weems is one of 75 players on the list, which is the first of its kind for the Golden Spikes Award. The list is rolling, which means other players may be added throughout the season.
The Golden Spikes Award is sponsored by Major League Baseball and administered by USA Baseball. This is the 31st year of the award. Past winners include Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994) and Baylor's Jason Jennings (1999). David Price of Vanderbilt was the 2007 Golden Spikes Award winner.
A two-time All-Big 12 Conference honoree and a unanimous first-team all-league pick last season, Weems hit .321 and shared the team lead with nine home runs in 2007; he also led Baylor with 17 doubles, 59 RBI, 125 total bases and 35 walks last season. He was even stronger in Big 12 play, hitting .361 with five home runs, 27 RBI, seven doubles, three triples, a .649 slugging percentage and a .438 on base percentage in 24 games.
Known for his defensive prowess, Weems has committed only 22 errors in 110 career starts at shortstop with only six fielding errors (others were throwing errors).
USA Baseball officials will cut the watch list to 50 semifinalists May 20. That list will be sent to a voting body that consists of select professional baseball personnel, past USA Baseball National Team coaches, select members of the media, former USA Baseball Sports Information Directors and current USA Baseball staff. Additionally, for the first time ever, fans will have a chance to vote for the Golden Spikes Award online at www.USABaseball.com.
Five finalists will be announced June 3 with the 2008 Golden Spikes Award winner announced July 16.
No. 15 Baylor opens its 2008 season this weekend, hosting Purdue for a three-game series at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears and the Boilermakers meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. CST, Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
