Listach Award Announced

Francisco Liriano of Marietta won the coveted Pat Listach Rookie of the Year Award yesterday. It was the first time a member of the Mighty Men franchise has won the award. The Listach was first awarded back in 1998 when the Mighty Mites were still the Jerusalem Rabbis. Liriano was a key member of the team's 2008 World Series push, and despite losing in a tough six-game series to the Sugar Bears, Marietta's ownership is happy with the results. "Frankie pitched his heart out for us this year," said owner David Landsman in a press conference. The good news, however, was tempered by the announcement made earlier today in Marietta. Landsman announced that he was so happy with Liriano's performance that he has awarded him a year-long cruise around the world. "We think this is the best way to put Frankie in a position to be successful with our franchise for many years to come" said Landsman. Skeptics think that the "cruise" idea is a cover for some injury sustained after Liriano was forced to pitch on three days' rest in the Series. "It's awfully convenient that Marietta is willing to let their ace pitcher off for a whole year to hang out on a cruise ship instead of leading their team to another possible Series appearance" said Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Terence Moore.