Mahomes To Fly With Birds Again In 2008
Published on February 6, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
SIOUX FALLS, SD (February 6, 2008) - The Sioux Falls Canaries have signed former Major Leaguer Pat Mahomes for the 2008 season. Mahomes tied Canaries club records by winning 12 games and striking out 109 opponents in 2007.
"Pat and I talked about bringing him back to Sioux Falls at last week's Hot Stove Banquet," said Canaries Manager Steve Shirley. "He is a leader in our pitching staff whose veteran presence helps our team both on and off the field."
Shirley and Mahomes were in Sioux Falls last week for the Canaries Fourth Annual Hot Stove Banquet and Winter Pitching Camps. At the banquet Shirley was asked by a fan how long it would be before the Canaries inked Mahomes to a 2008 contract. Shirley responded, "If I'm good at my job, not long at all," and received applause from the crowd.
Mahomes was a big part of the Canaries pitching success in 2007. He was the veteran leader on a staff that posted a 4.07 ERA, the clubs lowest ERA since 2001. On the field Mahomes went 12-3 with a 3.21 ERA and was selected to both the mid-season and post-season American Association All-Star clubs.
As the 2007 came to a close, Mahomes' contract was purchased from the Canaries by the Toronto Blue Jays who assigned Mahomes to their Triple-A affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs. Mahomes made three starts for the Chiefs, picking up one win and one loss.
Last year, Mahomes had success against the American Association competition. Pat finished the year atop the league in wins (12), second in strikeouts (109), third in innings pitched (134.2), tied for third in complete games (4), and seventh in earned run average (3.21). Mahomes was also honored twice by PA-Sportsticker, the league's official statistician, as the American Association Pitcher of the Week.
The Sioux Falls Canaries will open the 2008 American Association season on May 8 with a visit to the defending champion Fort Worth Cats. The Canaries home opener is on Tuesday, May 13, when the club will host the Pensacola Pelicans in their "Season Premier" featuring a post-game fireworks display presented by First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard. To purchase a season ticket package, Canaries mini-plan, or perch pack, call the Canaries office at 333-0179.
American Association Stories from February 6, 2008
- Cats add RHP Hedden - Fort Worth Cats
- MLB Texas Rangers Sign Pelicans Catcher - Pensacola Pelicans
- Mahomes To Fly With Birds Again In 2008 - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints Fun is Good Seminar Set for March 18 - St. Paul Saints
- Explorers Re-Sign Sioux City Heelan Graduate Dustin Jones - Sioux City Explorers
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