MOULTRIE — Chris McAlpin earned a World Series ring when his employer, the Anaheim Angels, won the championship in 2002.
The former Packers catcher will get another ring from the Angels next spring after being named the organization’s Scout of the Year.
“It was surprising,” McAlpin said from his Norman Park home on Thursday. “But it was very appreciated. I guess they feel good about the job I’m doing.”
McAlpin said he would receive the ring in honor of the award at the Angels final 2009 spring training game in Tempe, Ariz.
A number of the players McAlpin has helped sign are playing well in the Angels organization, including Joe Saunders, a left-hander who went 17-7 last season when the team posted the most wins in franchise history.
Saunders, signed out of Virginia Tech, is 32-15 career major league record.
McAlpin also is responsible for signing former Tift County High School pitcher Nick Green, who is on the Angels 40-man roster.
McAlpin also signed Redan High shortstop P.J. Phillips, brother of the Cincinnati Reds’ Brandon Phillips, and former North Carolina State left-hander Andrew Taylor. Both are considered prime prospects.
The Angels minor league system posted a .553 winning percentage last season, third-best among major league franchises.
McAlpin played three seasons as a catcher for the Packers.
As a sophomore in 1986, he hit .318 and drove in 11 runs. Among his teammates that season was Muzzy Jackson, who currently works is an assistant general manager for the Kansas City Royals.
In 1987, McAlpin hit .304 with four runs batted in.
As a senior, he hit .384 with nine doubles and 15 RBIs.
McAlpin played one season at South Georgia College before a pair of back surgeries ended his playing career.
He coached baseball at Tiftarea Academy for five seasons before taking the job as the Angels scout for Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina in 2002.
That fall, the Angels defeated Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series.
He has continued to have primary responsibility in those areas, but also travels to other areas of the country as well.
McAlpin said he spent more than 200 days on the road last year. But there was no regret in his voice.
“Baseball is all I ever wanted to do,” McAlpin said. “It’s all I know.”
But November and December are slow times and he gets to spend more time at home with wife Suzanne and daughters Peyton, who will be 11 on Dec. 15, and Hannah, who recently turned 7.
Peyton has her father’s love of sports and is playing recreation softball. Hannah is a dancer.
The 2008 season was a bittersweet one for the Angels, who posted a franchise record number of victories, but were eliminated in the postseason by Boston.
But McAlpin has nothing but good things to say about his employer.
“The organization has been good to me,” he said. “I couldn’t work for a better organization.
“And Eddie Bane, our scouting director, lets me do my job.”
Local Sports
McAlpin honored as Angels' Scout of the Year
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Conference champions
The Colquitt County seventh-grade girls basketball team celebrates its South Georgia Athletic Conference championship. The team includes, front, from left, coach Sheila Williams, Za'Nautica Downs, Akia Sutton, Ty'Asia McNeal, Shy Seay; and back, Sydnee Dalton, Shay Stanfill, Kiarra Lovett, Abiyah Spencer, Coach Jon Scroggins, Angel Kinchen, Chyna Calhoun, Michaela Bennefield, Istajhe Johnson, Ashuntee Stewart and Ja'nysia Brown. Not shown, Coach Tamika Seay and Emily Dozier.
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Makeba Ponder’s free throw with 6 seconds remaining gave the Colquitt County girls a 55-48 victory over Lowndes on Tuesday on the William Bryant Court at the Gladys Espy Gymnasium and ensured the Lady Packers would have the top seed in next week’s Region 1-AAAAA tournament at Tift County.
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Prine shines at Snowflake Invitational
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The defending Region 1-AAAAA champion Colquitt County High baseball team held an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday at Ike Aultman Field at Packer Park. The Packers are gearing up for their Feb. 21 season-opener against Lawton Chiles of Tallahassee at Packer Park. Packers assistant coach Jake Mobley talks with sophomore pitcher, and little brother, Gabe Mobley during Saturday’s scrimmage.
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