The Niagara Metros are pleased
to announce that pitcher Brian Essery is back for a 12th season, in 2010. Brian has quite simply, been one of the best
pitchers in this or any other league in Ontario, during his stellar career. His lifetime numbers are incredible...from
his 61-23 win/loss record, to his 16 complete game shutouts, to his 2.50 career E.R.A. Brian also holds the Metros
career mark for lowest WHIP (1.12), as well as 11 "seasonal" records, and 6 "game" records. In
2001, the former Frontier League pro posted a 13-1 record, with a remarkable 0.53 ERA...starting a run of 3
years where he was nearly unhittable. After arm woes slowed him down in 2004, Brian came back strong. In
2005, he was 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA, and in '06 he went 6-2 with a 2.55. Brian then proved he was all the way back
in 2007, when he went 6-2 again, but this time with a microscopic 1.40 ERA. After a season in the British Elite League
(leading the London Mets to a title), Brian returned to Niagara last season, and was his stingy self, posting a 2.93 ERA in
his 46 innings. Of course, along with the amazing performances come the awards and accolades...and they make for quite
a list. Here's a just a small sampling:
- Voted C.O.M.B.L. Most Valuable Player Award, by league managers (2001)
- Voted C.O.M.B.L. Top Pitcher, by league managers - twice (1999
& 2007)
- Voted Metros
Most Valuable Player by his teammates twice (2001 & 2002)
- Named Metros Top Pitcher 6 times (1998, '99, '01, '02, '06, '07), and Metros
Comeback Player of the Year (2005)
- Named Johnson Division Year-end All-Star RHP 4 times (1999, '01, '02, '07)
- Starred for Team Britain at European
Cup in 2007 (winning silver medal) and World Cup in 2009
- Added to the roster of the Windor Stars for 2009 Canadian Senior Championships
(going 2-0 in the tourney)
- Named to Metros' 25th Anniversary All-Star Team, as 2nd team Righthanded Starting Pitcher in 2009.
