Morgan Ensberg named 2005 Graduate of the Year

“Good Guys Finish First.” Is that how it goes? It seems that is the exact opposite of how the saying normally goes. It looked as though the 2005 Major League All Star break would hold true to that old saying, and one good guy was going to finish last, or at least one spot away from a deserving All-Star nomination. “It didn’t bother Morgan. He is the most humble person you will ever meet,” said Santa Barbara Foresters Manager Bill Pintard. All of the baseball talk at the time was about the Houston Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg who was left off that illustrious list. In the first half of the 2005 season he had hit 24 home runs and his average was .290. He had driven in 65 runs, and held down the hot corner tightly for the Houston Astros. “He has always been a blue collar type of guy. He was a hard worker and continues to be a hard worker” said Pintard. The saying didn’t hold true as Ensberg received what he deserved. An injury to St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen opened up a spot that Ensberg easily filled as a selection to the 2005 Major League All Star roster.

While with the Santa Barbara Foresters Ensberg left an impression on his coaches, his teammates, and his community. He also left his mark on Wichita. Hugs for Cubs is a program operated by the Santa Barbara Foresters. While in Wichita for the National Baseball Congress World Series, Hugs for Cubs visit local hospitals and visit with children receiving treatment. “I remember talking to Morgan about a few of those visits and to this day he mentions how proud he was to have a picture of him and other Forester players hanging in the hospital,” said Pintard.

He also left his mark on the tournament with his performance as well. In 10 games of World Series play he drove in 14 runs and scored six runs himself. “I remember one of the first times he played with us. We were losing at the time and we had two men on. The other team was changing pitchers and I walked down to Morgan at the on-deck circle,” said Pintard. “I asked him how he was doing, and he said this is a pretty tight spot here I’m a little nervous. He ended up hitting a triple and when he got to third, he looked at me and said, I’m not so nervous anymore.” Pintard referred to his sense of humor and humility several times throughout our conversation. “He is rock solid as a person and rock solid as a player. His humility makes him the type of player and person that I will always remember,” said Pintard. 

When a player like Morgan Ensberg comes to Wichita with enormous talent and a future brightened by the stardom they will most likely one day reach, fans should sit and admire who they are as a person as well as a player. Baseball players like Ensberg play because it is a game they love, and in return the game loves them back.

Congratulations to Morgan Ensberg for his selection to the 2005 All-Star Team. The National Baseball Congress World Series is proud to select and congratulate Houston Astro’s third baseman Morgan Ensberg as the 2005 Graduate of the Year. Thank you for all you have done for our tournament and the great game we all love to watch.