web1_millcreek02.jpg

Crumbling wall and overgrown bed in Mill Creek concerns for Miners Mills resident

web1_Maddon.jpg

Our Opinion: Cubs manager Joe Maddon’s philosophy is a winner in our book

<p>Though the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders&#8217; last win &#8212; a 3-1 victory over Pacific League Champion El Paso Chihuahuas in the Triple-A Championship Game &#8212; came over a month and a half ago, the accolades have continued to roll in for the International League champions.</p><p>On Thursday, Minor League Baseball announced that the RailRiders won the 2016 Best Team MiLBY Award after winning both the staff and fan vote.</p><p>&#8220;It all starts with getting the coaching staff on the same page in understanding our goals,&#8221; Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders manager Al Pedrique told MiLB.com.</p><p>Future call-ups like Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge played huge roles at the beginning of the season, which helped the RailRiders reach an MiLB-high 91 wins and the postseason by the time they were up and playing with the big-league club.</p><p>Down the stretch, Pedrique and his staff relied on the efforts of newcomers like outfielder Clint Frazier and pitcher Jordan Montgomery and mainstays like infielder Donovan Solano and pitcher Johnny Barbato. Outfielder Ben Gamel played a large role before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in August.</p><p>&#8220;We had prospects on the way up, like Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge, who were mostly ready but needed to work out some kinks,&#8221; Pedrique said. &#8220;And we had guys who have been in the Majors and come back disappointed. The daily job of communication is huge at the Triple-A level.&#8221;</p><p>Luis Severino, Rob Refsnyder, Chad Green and Luis Cessa were players that had big-league expectations, but due to struggles with the New York Yankees, spent time with the RailRiders and played major roles in the Triple-A club&#8217;s success.</p><p>&#8220;When someone comes back down, the first thing we do is meet with the player and tell them, &#8216;You&#8217;ll be fine &#8212; you&#8217;re still valued. Let&#8217;s work on this so you can get back there,&#8217;&#8221; Pedrique said.</p><p>With an influx of young talent the RailRiders will have high expectations in 2017, especially considering they will host the next Triple-A Championship Game.</p><p>Scranton/Wilkes-Barre opens its 2017 schedule with a four-game series in Buffalo before hosting Lehigh Valley on April 10.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_SWB-logo2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_SWB-logo2.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By DJ Eberle</p><p>djeberle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach DJ Eberle at 570-991-6398 or on Twitter @ByDJEberle</p></shirttailMeta></div>

RailRiders named top MiLB team