Our winner from Friday’s matchup is Kevin Kouzmanoff, who will go on the face Mo Vaughn in the next round (in 10 days or so).

Today’s Matchup

Chad Tracy vs. Erik Kratz

  • Chad Tracy played in Staunton in 1999. He was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 7th round in 2001 out of East Carolina, and went on to play nine years in the majors, for the Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, and Florida Marlins. His best year was in 2005, his 25-year old season, when he hit .308/.359/.553 in 503 at-bats, with 34 doubles, four triples, and 27 home runs. He also played in Japan in 2011.
  • Erik Kratz (Waynesboro 2000, Harrisonburg 2001) is a local- he is an EMU grad. His number hangs on the outfield fence in Park View, and he was the alumni of the year just this past fall. Kratz was drafted in the 29th round in 2002 by the Toronto Blue Jays, and has played in the majors in parts of 10 different seasons (so far). He was a hero for the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2018 NLDS against the Rockies, when he went 5-8 at the plate, with a double and an RBI. He also made some waves at the time by proving to be a fun and interesting interview. He’s back with the New York Yankees for the 2020 season, assuming it will be played at some point.

Go to twitter.com/JohnATVL to vote! (Closes Sunday morning)

Erik Kratz and his epic collision with Chipper Jones
Chad Tracy in the dugout