Bird Back With Miners
Published on April 13, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
MARION, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners are excited to announce the re-signing of the 2008 Frontier League Pitcher of the Year, Ryan Bird.
Last season Bird put together one of the greatest seasons ever by a pitcher in the Frontier League. He went 13-3 with a 2.48 ERA and recorded 152 strikeouts, four shy of the league record. His 13 wins tied him for fourth most in a single Frontier League season, and he finished the year on an 11-game win streak. After his amazing season, Bird was named to Baseball America's All-Independent Leagues First Team and one of three finalists for Baseball America's Independent Leagues Player of the Year award.
Bird signed with the St. Louis Cardinals immediately following the 2008 season and pitched for the Cards winter league team in Columbia. He was released by the Cardinals during the final week of spring training.
"This is bittersweet for us," Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. "We really hoped Ryan would have been given a fair chance to make a Cardinal team this year and wanted that for him. But having him back in a Miners uniform is a huge thing to our rotation. Ryan can certainly dominate a game and was the premier pitcher in the league last season. I love his approach on and off the field, and it is good to have him back in the Miners family this season."
Bird has played one full season with Southern Illinois and is the team's career regular season leader in wins (13), strikeouts (152), and ERA (2.48).
The Miners will begin the 2009 season in Evansville on Friday, May 22. The home opener is scheduled for Friday, May 29 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.
Frontier League Stories from April 13, 2009
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- Rascals Host 6,000 For Egg Hunt - River City Rascals
- Bird Back With Miners - Southern Illinois Miners
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