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Battle Creek Franchise Alumni to Play in World Baseball Classic

March 6, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


BATTLE CREEK, MI. The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays are proud to announce that six Battle Creek franchise alumni are currently participating in the World Baseball Classic. In addition to the franchise's 40 alumni who have made it to the major leagues, the following six players have been selected by their respective nations to play on the world stage.

The Minnesota Twins' Johan Santana is part of Venezuela's roster. Santana, the American League's 2004 Cy Young Award winner, appeared in 27 games for the 1999 Michigan Battle Cats, compiling an 8-8 record with a 4.66 earned run average and 150 strikeouts in 160.1 innings pitched.

Carlos Hernandez, a hurler for the Houston Astros, is also representing his native Venezuela, was a member of the 2000 Midwest League champion Battle Cats squad. That season, Hernandez picked up six wins in 22 starts, with two complete games and a shutout. He also fanned more than one batter per frame. Hernandez made the major leagues the very next year and was the youngest player in the National League at the time.

Rafael Betancourt is the final link in the Battle Creek-Venezuela connection. Betancourt, currently pitching for the Cleveland Indians, arrived in Battle Creek in 1996 as an infielder. His numbers at the plate were suspect, and Betancourt decided that a switch to the pitching rubber might benefit him. Betancourt returned to the Battle Cats in 1997, appearing in 27 games as a reliever. He registered 11 saves, finished with a stellar 1.95 earned run average, and was best among all Midwest League relief pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings, runners per nine innings and walks per nine innings. While Betancourt would toil in the minors, and Japan, for several more years, he broke through to the bigs in 2003.

Mike Gallo of the Houston Astros is representing Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Gallo came to the Battle Cats in 1999 as a starter before converting to the bullpen in 2000. Gallo would take to the C.O. Brown Stadium hill for three seasons (1999-2001), recording 19 wins and 12 saves. He would make his major league debut for Houston in 2003. Last season, Gallo tossed 3.1 scoreless innings during Houston's run to the World Series.

The Atlanta Braves' Chris Reitsma is part of Team Canada. Reitsma spent the 1997 campaign with the Battle Cats, going 4-1 with a 2.90 earned run average in nine starts. Reitsma has pitched for Cincinnati and Houston, appearing in seven postseason games for the Braves over the last two years.

Manny Acosta of Panama had a rough go of it during the 2003 Battle Creek Yankees season. Acosta recorded an 0-8 mark in 15 appearances before being released by the parent club. Acosta was signed by the Braves five days later and pitched for Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League in 2005.

Venezuela, Italy and Panama all open World Baseball Classic play tomorrow. Canada's opener comes on Tuesday. The World Baseball Classic continues through March 20, when the championship will be decided in San Diego.

Opening Day is only 32 days away for the 2006 "Catch Some Rays" season. The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays are once again offering a wide variety of ticket packages for the 2006 season to meet the needs of their fans. For more information and to get the most up to date news on the Devil Rays, log on to the team's official website, southwestmichigandevilrays.com, or call (269) 660-2287.



Midwest League Stories from March 6, 2006


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.

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