Jeromy Burnitz
Last Original Mud Hen

   The Midland Mud Hens came into existence in the second year of the Mid-West Baseball League (1998).  The Mud Hens took place in the 1998 Dispersal Draft and had the task of drafting in the fourth slot, out of four teams.  Midlands General Manager Phil Seaton, was off to a great start with his first two selections of Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine.  But the Mud Hens eventually traded away both star pitchers, and at the end of the 2003 MWBL season, the only player left from that draft for the Mud Hens was Jeromy Burnitz.

   Burnitz was selected in the third round by Midland, and he now is the last of the original Mud Hens that included other notables besides Maddux and Glavine as Esteban Loaiza, David Bell, and Billy Koch.

   "We acquired a middle-of-the-order run producer, and we also added one of baseball's all-time great guys," Seaton said. "This guy can only make us better. "We weren't asking him to do anything that  he wasn't capable of doing. We just asked him to come in and be the player he could be."

   "None of that is really my concern," Burnitz said the day after the 98 dispersal draft. "All I can do is what I'm paid to do, show up and execute my plan and help in any way I can, offensively and defensively. If I can make a positive impact on the team, that's what I'm here for."

   For most of his Midland career he provided the punch in the middle of the lineup that’s so desperately needed to compete in this league. His career was highlighted by the 2000 season in which he batted .329 with 29 doubles, 38 home runs, and 98 RBI's in only 127 games.

   When told of his selection as the subject of Midland’s Hall of Fame Exhibit, Jeromy stated he was proud to have been part of this organization and hopes to continue contributing and would love to finish his career here. His greatest wish is to see Midland contend for a championship and he’s willing to do whatever it takes.

JEROMY BURNITZ CAREER HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE MIDLAND MUDHENS

• Midland's single season leader Batting Average at .329 • Midland's single season leader in Runs Scored with 109 • Midland's single season leader in RBI’s with 120 • Midland's single season leader in Doubles with 43 • Midland's single season leader in HR’s with 42 • Midland's career record for runs scored with 439 • Midland's career record for hits with 680 • Midland's career RBI leader with 478 • Midland's career leader in Doubles with 170 • Midland's career leader in HR’s with 148 • Tied for 9th MWBL career grand slams with 7 • 2 time MWBL All-Star