University of North Carolina Athletics
Miller Named One Of Five Finalists For Golden Spikes Award
June 1, 2006 | Baseball
June 1, 2006
DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina junior lefty Andrew Miller has been named one of five finalists for the 2006 Golden Spikes Award, amateur baseball's most esteemed honor, which is presented by USA Baseball in partnership with Major League Baseball. Recognized as one of the most revered awards in amateur sports, the presentation of the Golden Spikes Award for the second consecutive year will be broadcast to a nationwide audience on ESPNU. This will also mark the inaugural year Major League Baseball Productions has produced the show.
In 2006, Miller is 11-2 while notching 102 strikeouts and recording a 2.07 ERA. He was the 2006 ACC Pitcher of the Year and a three-time ACC Pitcher of the Week. Miller is the fourth Golden Spikes Award Finalist from the Tar Heel program, joining Russ Adams ('02), B.J. Surhoff ('85) and Scott Bankhead ('84).
Joining Miller as finalists are Washington pitcher Tim Lincecum, Long Beach State third baseman Evan Longoria, Vanderbilt pitcher David Price and Texas outfielder Drew Stubbs.
The 2006 Golden Spikes Award winner will be announced during the broadcast of the 29th Annual Golden Spikes Award on June 23rd at 1:00PM EST on ESPNU. The broadcast, presented in conjunction with Major League Baseball, will also highlight USA Baseball's athlete programs as well as some of the various organizational youth baseball initiatives supported by USA Baseball and Major League Baseball.
"USA Baseball is proud to recognize these five players who have performed at the highest possible level throughout the regular season. We are pleased to have Major League Baseball as a presenting sponsor of this award and their continued support of the organization and amateur baseball players, especially at the grassroots level," said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball Executive Director / CEO.
For the past 28 years, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Following the first-ever presentation of the Award to Bob Horner of Arizona State in 1978, the Golden Spikes Award has been presented each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship. The 2005 Golden Spikes Award winner was Alex Gordon of the University of Nebraska. Past winners of this prestigious award include current Major League Baseball stars such as Khalil Greene ('02), Mark Prior ('01), Jason Jennings ('00), Pat Burrell (`98), J.D. Drew ('97), Travis Lee ('96), Mark Kotsay ('95), Jason Varitek ('94), Darren Dreifort ('93), and Phil Nevin ('92). Former Major League stars that have captured the award include Alex Fernandez ('90), Ben McDonald ('89), Robin Ventura ('88), Jim Abbott ('87), Will Clark ('85), Dave Magadan ('83), Terry Francona ('80), Tim Wallach ('79), and Bob Horner ('78).
