By Stephen BrownCory Vaughn has solidified his legacy as one of the greatest Cyclones ever.
On Sunday, the Clones’ hard-hitting right-fielder hit his 13th home run, tying the franchise record set in 2001 by Frank Corr, and breaking his own record for RBIs in a season with 49, a mark he had set a game earlier when he knocked in his 47th run.
On Tuesday night, he got his 50th RBI (though so did friendly rival Jeff Flagg) — and he still has until Sunday to break the homer record.
Vaughn came out of the gates swinging, belting his first dinger in the second home game of the season.
From there, the slugger quickly established himself as a team leader on and off the field.
Early in the season, manager Wally Backman gave Vaughn his seal of approval.
“I think he’ll play in the big leagues,” said Backman, who should know, given that he led the Mets to their last championship in 1986 (which now feels like a long, long time ago).
Considering Vaughn’s pedigree, it doesn’t come as a surprise that he has become so dominant.
He is a second-generation player who watched his dad, Greg Vaughn, play on the big stage for 14 years. The elder Vaughn was a fierce power hitter, and he was in the thick of the home run race of 1998 along with Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Ken Griffey Jr. while playing for the San Diego Padres.
But the 21-year-old has exhibited a more well-rounded game, as he is in the top 10 in the league in runs (40) and hits (75) as well.
The remaining thing that he must prove, of course, is if he can lead the Cyclones to the promised land: the franchise’s second championship.
