26 August, 2005

Nicholson wins Manager of the Year award

Kelly Nicholson was unsure he would return to the Orleans Cardinals' coaching staff in 2005 after friend and field manager Carmen Carcone resigned at the end of last season.

But Nicholson, pitching coach for the Cardinals since 2001, was asked to take over the reigns as field manager for the 2005 season, and the Cardinals enjoyed a tremendous season, winning the Cape Cod Baseball League Championship.

His accomplishments earned him the Mike Curran Manager of the Year Award.

The Cardinals set a team record for wins, going 30-14 in 2005. The team also posted its lowest ERA with a 2.22 mark.

A math teacher at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, Nicholson also coached the Loyola High School Cubs for 11 seasons, leading the Cubs to one league title. He also was pitching coach at Loyola Marymount University for three seasons, and each season the team won the WCC title.

Coghlan earns Thurman Munson Batting Title

After battling two Chatham A's teammates for top honors, Chris Coghlan (Mississippi) finished the season with a .346 batting average, good enough to earn him the Thurman Munson Batting Title in the Cape Cod Baseball League.

During the last few days of regular-season play, Coghlan pulled away from teammates Baron Frost (USC) and Alex Presley (Mississippi), who batted .343 and .341, respectably.

Coghlan had 45 hits, two home runs and 22 RBI in 130 plate appearances, helping lead the A's to second place in the Eastern Division and a spot in the playoffs. During the playoffs, Coghlan hit .308 in his three games against the Orleans Cardinals.

The Palm Harbor, Fla., native is an asset to both the Rebels and the A's. In 2004, his rookie season at Ole Miss, Coghlan hit .302 with a .407 slugging percentage.

Other Cape Leaguers who have won the Thurman Munson Batting Title are Jason Varitek (Hyannis, 1993), Chuck Knoblauch (Wareham, 1988), and current Texas Rangers manager Buck Showalter (Hyannis, 1976).