66ers General Manager Joe Hudson Named Executive of the Year

San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino Professional Baseball Club announced on Wednesday that the California League has named Sixers' General Manager Joe Hudson as its 2017 Executive of the Year. The honor was bestowed upon the San Bernardino native by his peers in a post-season nomination and vote process among the league's top executives.
"Being named California League Executive of the year is an amazing honor, especially because it comes from my peers," Hudson said. "It's wonderful to be recognized by people who share similar challenges and triumphs with their own clubs. To be singled out by one's colleagues is truly the highest compliment one can receive. I'm extremely thankful for the efforts of our fantastic staff, as well as our fans and community that make the 66ers such a great organization to be a part of."
The 66ers led the California League in overall attendance in 2017 and were the only club to draw more than 200,000 fans; the Sixers finished the season with a final tally of 202,336 fans through the turnstiles this year. San Manuel Stadium will also draw roughly 190,000 people to the ballpark for non-66ers game events in 2017.
Hudson led the way in the negotiation of a new stadium lease with the City of San Bernardino securing the club's future in its home through 2026. Ballpark improvements also marked the year as the Hangar 24 Craft Brewery in Redlands, CA and the Sixers partnered for the Craft Corner on the third base concourse where fans could mingle and enjoy craft brews at the park. In 2016 the 66ers won the Cal League's Community Excellence Award, as well as Baseball America's Bob Freitas award for their community involvement efforts. That spirit continued in 2017 with Hudson facilitating a special "Field Day" at North Park Elementary School in San Bernardino; the team's players and staff joined the students for an outdoor activity day after the school had been the victim of a shooting.
In addition to Hudson's role as General Manager of the 66ers he also serves as President of Diamond Creations, the concessionaire at San Manuel Stadium, the San Bernardino Soccer Complex as well as all locations within the Elmore Sports Group holdings. This year also marked Diamond's partnering with a fellow Cal League club, the Lancaster JetHawks with Hudson spearheading the group's expansion within the Cal League.
To learn more about the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino visit 66ers.com.