Former Canes Ready for MLB Playoffs
Sept. 30, 2011
Coral Gables, Fla. – Former University of Miami baseball players Ryan Braun and Jon Jay are ready to begin the MLB National League Divisional Series playoffs starting Saturday, Oct. 1. Both players will be starting for their respective teams.
Ryan Braun and the Milwaukee Brewers enter the NLDS after winning their first division title since 1982. Braun is a candidate for NL Player of the Year after being named to his third consecutive All-Star Game roster in July.
In 2011, Braun was named to the Sporting News’ list of the 50 greatest current baseball players, ranking No. 16. With 33 home runs and 33 stolen bases on the campaign, the “Hebrew Hammer” became the second Brewer (and the 56th player in MLB history) to join the 30-30 club. He was named as the NL Player of the Month in April, after tying the NL lead in home runs (10) and runs scored (24), in addition to setting a new team record by reaching base in 28 consecutive games to start a season.
Braun finished the regular season fourth in the MLB for runs scored (109) and fifth in RBI (111). He collected 187 hits and was second in the National League with 33 homers. He ranked in the Top 10 of the NL for doubles (38). His .332 batting average was fifth-best in the MLB as well.
On Thursday, Sept. 29, Braun picked up the NL Player of the Month for September. In 25 contests during September, Braun tied for second in the National League with eight home runs and 22 RBI while hitting .330 (33-for-100). The Mission Hills, Calif. native ranked seventh among National Leaguers in slugging percentage (.620) and runs scored (17) while his 33 hits tied for ninth during September.
The Brewers host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday at 2:07 p.m.
Jon Jay, an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, will help the Cards against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. Jay enters the playoffs batting .297 on the year – while carrying a .298 lifetime average into the postseason. The Miami native has recorded several ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 Plays throughout the season with his glove in the outfield, most notably his diving catch against Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Casey McGehee back in June.
On the year, Jay has produced 56 runs, 135 hits, 24 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs. The former Hurricane played in the outfield for head coach Jim Morris from 2004-06 and sits fifth all-time in career hits (254) and batting average (.378) at UM.
The Cardinals travel to Philadelphia for a 5:07 p.m. match-up Saturday.
Throughout the postseason, HurricaneSports.com will have up-to-date coverage of Braun and Jay, tracking their numbers each game, as well as having links to local newspapers and articles covering the Brewers and Cardinals, respectively.
For more information on the University of Miami baseball team, please log on to HurricaneSports.com. To follow the UM Baseball Team via twitter, please navigate to Twitter.com/CanesBaseball. You can also access the official UMiami Baseball blog at TheUBaseball.com.
Fans can keep up-to-date with all UM Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/HurricaneSports. You can also become a fan of the Canes on Facebook at Facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.
