The Envelope Please…

During the York Revolution’s dismal 8-20 start to the 2008 season, the Revs’ clubhouse felt like a morgue.

Players ate their post-game meals in silence. The TV in the corner was the only audible noise. The losing was taking its toll.

Then the pieces started to fall into place. Kennard Jones and Chris Ashby arrived. A couple other moves solidified the bullpen. And all of a sudden baseball fans had a contender to watch every night.

That morgue-like atmosphere in the clubhouse? It gave way to a feeling of excitement every night, one that was topped off with champagne and Bud Light showers for all when York clinched a playoff berth.

So here are the men and moves responsible for making it happen. The following are the York Dispatch’s second annual Revolution awards.

1. Most Valuable Player: Jason Aspito.

Aspito not only set career highs in homers (24), RBIs (105) and walks (56). He was York’s go-to guy in the clutch offensively and defensively all year long. For example, how about the grand slam that snapped a 5-5 tie in the playoff clinching win against Lancaster? Or the two-run homer that brought York to life in Game 2 of the Freedom Division Series before the Revs ultimately fell, 6-4? If you threw a hard hat on Aspito it would make perfect sense. He showed up to work and performed every day in 2008.