HARRISONBURG, Va., Nov. 1, 2006 - The Valley Baseball League's consistent flow of talent to Major League Baseball's largest stage was proven again this October.   Two former VBL stars, David Eckstein of the St. Louis Cardinals and Brandon Inge of the Detroit Tigers, played significant roles for their respective teams in the 2006 World Series.  St. Louis won their tenth World Championship defeating Detroit in five games.

Eckstein, a two-time National League All-Star, batted .292, hit 18 doubles, and scored 68 runs during the 2006 regular season.  The Cardinals' lead-off man impacted the postseason this year by stealing four bases, scoring seven runs, and hitting a home run.  St. Louis' starting shortstop was named the World Series MVP after batting .364, hitting four RBI's, and scoring three runs.  Eckstein played for the Harrisonburg Turks in 1995 and 1996.

Inge, the Tiger's starting third baseman, batted .253, hit 27 homeruns, and collected 83 RBI's this season.  In the playoffs, Inge earned a batting average of .273 and knocked in 4 runs including one home run for Detroit.  In the World Series Inge batted .353 and hit two doubles.   He played for the Waynesboro Generals in 1996.

A third former VBL standout, Mike Maroth played for the Tigers this season, but did not make the postseason roster for Detroit.  In 2006, Maroth pitched in 12 games earning a record of 5-2 with an ERA of 4.19.  He played for the Staunton Braves in 1996 and 1997.

Another VBL alumnus, Roberto Hernandez, played in the 2006 postseason with the New York Mets.  He pitched seven outs during the National League Championship series and did not allow a hit.  Hernandez, who played for Front Royal in the VBL, has pitched for eight teams during his 16-year MLB career.  He has over 900 strikeouts in his career with an ERA of 3.32 and ranks 10th all-time with 326 saves.