When the Sacramento State Hornets compiled their 2001-2010 all-decade team last year, the Crabs were well represented, with fully one third of the team — four out of 12 — having spent time at the Arcata Ball Park.
The four former Crabs honored were Everet Rincon (shortstop), Aurelio Jackson (outfield), Chris Kinsey (utility) and Matt Wilson (catcher).
Rincon, who played for the Hornets from 2002-2006 was an and a wizard with the glove. He holds the school record with 34 sacrifice bunts in his career and is one of only a handful of players in Sacramento State history to record five hits in a game.
"Everet was a pleasure to watch play shortstop," said Crabs manager and former player Matt Nutter. "Great range for a hard-working, fundamentally sound player who enjoyed the game and played it the right way."
Jackson was a speedster who terrorized on the basepaths and roamed centerfield from 1998-2001. He holds three Hornets career records: hits (229), runs (138) and stolen bases (85).
"A.J. was one of the most exciting players I've ever seen come through here," said Nutter. "If he got on first base, you knew he was going to turn it into a double if not a triple. He was running on every pitch."
Kinsey was a dangerous foe both on the mound and at the plate. As a senior he led the Hornets staff in appearances, innings pitched, strikeouts and opponents' batting average, and his career marks in home runs and doubles are second-best in school history.
"Kinsey was a great talent," said Nutter. "Kind of an Adam Carr/David Popkins type of guy."
Wilson is best known in recent Crabs history as an assistant coach under Nutter until 2009. But as a catcher for both the Hornets and the Crabs, he excelled as well.
"Matt Wilson was the guy you wanted behind the dish if you were pitching," said Nutter. "Hard-nosed, hard-working catcher who had some pop at the plate. He was a complete player, and was a great coach for us as well."
The official Sacramento State release can be found here.
