Beavers Contingent Part Of Historic Series In China

Published on March 11, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - New Portland manager Randy Ready and a large contingent of players who have represented the Beavers over the past few years will take part in a historic set of exhibition games this weekend when the San Diego Padres meet the Los Angeles Dodgers in Beijing, China.

The Padres travel roster for the series includes Ready, former Beavers manager Rick Renteria and 10 players with Portland ties. The Padres will play the Dodgers on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16, in an unprecedented two-game exhibition, marking the first-ever Major League Baseball contests to be played in China.

Pitchers Josh Geer (a member of the Beavers in 2007), Justin Germano (2004-05; 2007) and Jared Wells (2006-07), and position players Mike Baxter (2007), Brett Dowdy (2006-07), Drew Macias (2007), Brian Myrow (2007), Oscar Robles (2007) and Craig Stansberry (2007) were part of the Padres contingent that departed for China today. The travel roster also includes Padres manager Bud Black, top-prospects Matt Antonelli, Nick Hundley and Will Venable, and Padres standouts Trevor Hoffman, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Heath Bell. The group also includes bullpen catcher Justin Hatcher, who played with Portland in 2007, and Beavers trainer John Maxwell.

The two-game showcase with the Dodgers will be held at Beijing's 12,000-seat Wukesong Baseball Field, which will be the host venue for baseball during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

In addition to the games with Los Angeles, the Padres players, coaches and traveling staff will take part in a variety of special activities during their stay, including baseball clinics at area schools, a sightseeing trip to the Great Wall of China and assorted promotional appearances in Beijing.

The Beavers roster continues to take shape in anticipation of the April 3 season-opener against the Fresno Grizzlies at PGE Park; Portland's Opening Day roster will be set in the days leading up to the start of the 2008 season.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from March 11, 2008


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