All-stars switch uniforms
July 21, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN - In a major trade completed today, The Evansville Otters announced today have acquired the services of 2005 Frontier League All-Star Beau Blacken from the Chillicothe Paints in exchange for 2003 FL All-Star Juan Downing.
Blacken is currently hitting .342 with nine homers and 37 RBI while playing in all 51 of Chillicothe's games during the 2005 season. Last year with the Paints, he played in 93 of 96 games and hit .271 with 17 homers and 58 RBI. A versatile player, Blacken has seen time at first base, third base, left field, right field, and DH in his season-and-a-half of pro ball.
"I'm extremely happy to have a guy of Blacken's abilities here," said Otters manager Greg Jelks, "it's tough giving up a player like Juan (Downing) who has meant so much to our team, but we feel that this move gives us a better chance to win."
Blacken was selected by Florence skipper Jamie Keefe as a manager's pick to the 2005 Frontier League All-Star team. He is a career .297 hitter in the Frontier League with 26 homers and 95 RBI.
Downing rejoined the Otters to start the 2005 season after spending the 2004 season in the Braves organization. He had hit .371 with three homers and 26 RBI in 30 games with Evansville.
The Otters and Paints will not have to waste any time in featuring their newest players as the teams start a three game series on tonight. It is also the Evansville Otters and Millennium Steel's Salute to the Negro Leagues as the two teams will don replica Negro League jerseys. Former Negro League players Sam Hartsfeld and Webster Chambers will throw out ceremonial first pitches along with Millennium Steel president Henry Jackson
Frontier League Stories from July 21, 2005
- RiverHawks Sign Former L.A. Farmhand - Rockford RiverHawks
- Goldbach propels Otters - Evansville Otters
- Grizzlies win 10-inning thriller - Gateway Grizzlies
- Paints, Otters swap stars - Chillicothe Paints
- All-stars switch uniforms - Evansville Otters
- Roosters take on Freedom at McBride - Richmond Roosters
- Former Bobcat signs with Paints - Chillicothe Paints
- Casoli Tames Paints Hitters - Richmond Roosters
- Florence falls in heartbreaker to Ohio Valley - OSC Original by Andrew Kappes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
