Bonertron 9000: July National League Player of the Month

[emkayseven]

Player of the Month for July.

[Fritz]

Crazy.

[Party]

BY MANNY NAVARRO

MNAVARRO@MIAMIHERALD.COM

NEW YORK -- The first time Jack McKeon managed the Marlins he used to go around telling his players that Luis Castillo was “his man.’’

Now, after winning the National League’s Player of the Month award in July, Emilio Bonifacio has become McKeon’s “new man.’’

“Jack told me once I see Luis to let him know he’s no longer his man — that I’m his man now,’’ Bonifacio said, chuckling, about three hours before the Marlins-Mets series finale was rained out at Citi Field on Wednesday night.

“Ever since I came to the organization, he’s always compared me to Luis. I’m grateful for [McKeon]. He’s given me a chance to play every day. I’ve done my job, but I wouldn’t have had the opportunity [if not for him]. I’ve taken advantage of it.’’

Before McKeon took over on June 20, Bonifacio was hitting .269 with a .338 on-base percentage, 24 runs scored, four stolen bases and 11 RBI. Since McKeon has taken over, he has started 37 of the 38 games and hit .331 with a .401 on-base percentage, 31 runs scored, 21 steals and seven RBI.

What he did in July alone was phenomenal. He had a 26-game hitting streak (second-longest in Marlins history), hit .380, posted a .466 on-base-percentage and scored an NL-best 27 runs. He also stole 16 bases to lead the NL.

"He’s a fun kid who really wants to learn," McKeon said. "He’s a good listener. He works on whatever you try to help with. He doesn’t turn his back to any suggestion anybody has. He’s become a better hitter because he’s much more patient at the plate. He’s a guy who has a chance to hit .300 because of his speed. He’s tough. That’s what Luis and [Juan] Pierre did [in 2003]. He puts the pressure on.’’

“He causes the pitchers to think a little bit about what he might do. And once they worry about that, they might give the hitter something good to hit.’’

Bonifacio, whose wife gave birth to their first child last month, said he was a bit surprised to learn he had won the honor.

“I’m pretty excited to be player of the month. It’s nice,’’ Bonifacio said. “I think a lot of people who didn’t know me might know me now.’’

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/0...#ixzz1U1KKtqIi

[Party]

Love his Twitter profile pic:

[Omar]

Come on Bonertron, you're better than that

[emkayseven]

He looks like Mark Gormley

[Erick]

His August numbers are the complete opposite of July...

[HUGG]

Hard to maintain a .463 babip

[Erick]

I'm more concerned about him only drawing 2 walks and striking out 14 times already.