Henry Raps Two Home Runs, Sermo Counters with Five, Highlighting Week for the MLB Partner League
MOORHEAD, Minn., July 23, 2026 – Welcome back, Jabari Henry. The league’s all-time home run champ returned after missing more than six weeks (prefaced with an appearance on the field at the All-Star Game last week, when he pronounced himself ready to resume play for the Sioux Falls Canaries). As always, fans can watch Henry and Fargo-Moorhead’s José Sermo battle it out for big fly supremacy as all AAPB games are, as always, available free for live viewing on AABaseball.tv.
Here are 10 (or so) Things to Know about the AAPB this week:
- Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks José Sermo continued his assault on AAPB pitching – and the league record books. He smacked his seventh home run since winning the AAPB All-Star Home Run Derby last week, raising his total to 165, two short of Sioux Falls first baseman Jabari Henry.
- Sermo’s 24 home runs and 68 RBI pace the circuit this season. He is within striking distance of the league records for HR (33, Adam Brett Walker, Milwaukee ’21) and RBI (Kyle Martin, 106, Winnipeg ’21).
- Henry, who maybe has had enough of watching Sermo chase him down, homered in his first game back in more than six weeks, then hit this blast over everything at The Birdcage. (Of course, as we chronicled last week, Henry served as Home Run Derby pitcher for his tater-blasting counterpart).
- The Sioux City Explorers gained their 1000th all-time win in dramatic fashion last night, rallying with three runs in the ninth inning to defeat Lincoln. The X’s are the first team in the current American Association to reach that mark in league history. Lincoln is the other team entering the season closing in on 1000 with 966.
- For the first time in American Association history, a team will wear its alternate identity during road games as the DockHounds become the Wisconsin Dive Bars throughout the remainder of the 2026 season.
- The Gary SouthShore RailCats have signed former Major Leaguer Erasmo Ramirez and two rookies as the club set out to strengthen its pitching staff for the second half of the season.
- Baseball history was celebrated as the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame honored seven baseball stars before Saturday’s game at Legends Field. The seven legends include Chester Brewer, Edward Dwight Sr., George Giles, Carroll Ray Mothell, Charles Wilber “Bullet” Rogan. Diego Segui and Frank Wickware.
- At 36 (Happy Birthday this past Monday!), Mitch Lambson of Winnipeg was the league’s oldest player – until KC added Michael Mariot (37 yrs, 276 days as of today) and Milwaukee signed Henderson Alvarez III (36 year, 96 days). Both are former Major Leaguers who have previous AAPB stints as well. Mariot made his first start for the Monarchs yesterday.
- Down but not out! Trailing 2-0 with one out to go in a potential no-hit bid for Cleburne’s Luke Short, an infield error kept the game alive, and after a walk, Hudson Head launched this three-run home run that ruined the no-no, the shutout, and the victory for the Railroaders in Game One of yesterday’s sweep by KC.
- Media interest in AAPB remains strong. Some of the recent articles on teams include:
- The Crescent News (Ohio) highlighted the selections of Art Warren and Zach Willeman to the American Association All-Star Game, posting this image of them on the field together in Lincoln.
- The Kansas City Star explains how KC residents are supporting The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas in July event with the Monarchs by donating to help provide gifts for local children while highlighting the organization’s community work.
- WorldBaseball.com broke down their trip to the AAPB All-Star game, calling it “Fireworks, Family Entertainment, and Players Who Love to Play Mark Midsummer In the Heartland.”
- CBS58 profiled Griffin Doersching of Milwaukee, who has worked through blood clots to stand out for the Milkmen.
- The Post-Journal featuring recent Sioux Falls addition Grady Mee and his family’s visit to the Jamestown Tarp Skunks.
- WSPY noted Jaxx Groshans’s AAPB All-Star Game MVP.
- A few team promotions of note are:
- On Wednesday, the Lake Country DockHounds are hosting Wings With Wags, an event where you and three guests will enjoy wings with Coach Paul Wagner before a Wednesday home game during the 2026 season.
- On Saturday, the Sioux City Explorers are hosting a Star Wars Night that includes a jersey auction benefiting the Miracle League of Siouxland, team photo giveaway for the first 500 fans, and an autograph session.
- Also on Saturday, pro wrestler Matt Hardy will make an appearance in Kane County for a VIP Meet and Greet.
- On Tuesday, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks are hosting Thrivent Giving Night featuring Smiles for Jake that includes a jersey auction benefiting Smiles for Jake: A local suicide prevention and awareness non-profit promoting life-affirming actions and provides mental health resources to the community.
About the American Association
The American Association of Professional Baseball (www.aabaseball.com) and (www.aabaseball.tv) is a Major League Baseball Partner League that operates in nine states and one Canadian province. Formed in 2006, the league consists of twelve member clubs with many beginning play in 1993. Through the 2025 season, 483 player contracts have been transferred to MLB organizations. In addition, 60 AAPB alumni have reached the Majors, including 17 participating in 2025.
– AAPB –
Contact:
Joe Favorito, joefavorito2@gmail.com, 917-566-8345
Jerry Milani, jerry@jerrymilani.com, 917-797-5663