Bluefish staff also honored with “Ken Shepard Award” for promotional excellence
(Bridgeport, Conn., - October 31, 2014) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced the Bridgeport Bluefish have received two postseason awards. The Executive of the Year has been awarded to Ken Shepard, the late general manager of the Bluefish, and the inaugural “Ken Shepard Award” for Promotional Excellence has been given to the Staff of the Bridgeport Bluefish. The recipients were voted on by a committee comprised of general managers from Atlantic League ball clubs.
Ken Shepard has been honored as Executive of the Year. He was the general manager of the Bridgeport Bluefish from 2012 until September 2014, when he passed away at age 49 after a courageous battle with cancer. The North Syracuse, NY native was involved in professional baseball for over 20 years, including time spent with teams in Geneva, NY; Prince William, VA; Savannah, GA; Wilmington, DE; and the Atlantic City Surf, one of six Atlantic League charter member teams.
In 1988, Shepard spent 12 consecutive nights in the Geneva Cub’s press box until the club snapped their 18-game losing streak with a win. The feat made national news and helped increase the Class A club’s attendance 36% over the previous season, earning Shepard his first of two Larry MacPhail Promotional Awards, given each season in Minor League Baseball to the club that demonstrates top promotional efforts.
“Ken was a promotional genius and was respected throughout baseball for his innovative tactics,” said Rick White, Atlantic League President. “He is missed by all who knew him, and the League will continue to honor and remember him by presenting the “Ken Shepard Award” at the end of each season.”
The “Ken Shepard Award” is now an Atlantic League award recognizing extraordinary promotional impact, whether a single promotion, or a series of noteworthy efforts during the course of the season. The inaugural “Ken Shepard Award” for Promotional Excellence has been awarded to the Administrative Staff of the Bridgeport Bluefish, in honor of Shepard and the team’s 2014 achievements, such as welcoming Pete Rose as team manager for a game, the Battle of the Sexes game against local amateur softball team, the Stratford Brakettes, and a Big Brothers Big Sisters night in which fans who donated clothing received a special Bluefish jersey.
The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.
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