Bears acquire all-star Norm Hutchins
Published on July 5, 2005 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, NJ, July 5-The Newark Bears today announced that the club has acquired outfielder Norm Hutchins as part of a trade with the Lancaster Barnstormers in exchange for first baseman Jeremy Todd. The Bears have also signed free agent outfielder Michael Moore and released outfielder Nick Steppe.
The 29 year-old Hutchins, who has been selected to play in the 2005 Atlantic League All Star Game, is currently the 8th leading hitter in the league with a .314 batting average. The twelve-year pro currently has 5 home runs, 6 doubles, 4 triples and 21 RBI in 53 games played so far this season. He has also stolen 13 bases in 16 attempts.
Hutchins, who was batting .350 in mid-June, has two of the longest hitting streaks in the Atlantic League this season, having hit in 18 consecutive games from June 7th-June 25th and in 16 straight games from May 1st-May 21st. His 18-game streak is the second longest hitting streak this year in the league; while his 16 game run is 3rd longest.
Originally a 2nd round selection of the Anaheim Angels in the 1994 draft, Hutchins has also played in the Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Devils Rays organizations. He has spent all or parts of four years at the triple-A level. Newark is the 5th different Atlantic League he has played for since 2003, joining Pennsylvania, Long Island, Somerset and Lancaster.
The 34 year-old Moore is a former 1st round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers out of UCLA in 1992. He has played for six different Major League affiliated organizations, including the New York Mets, during his 13-year professional career. Moore also has Atlantic League experience, having played for Nashua in 1998 and 1999 and Long Island in 2001.
Moore most recently played in the Chicago White Sox organization. Last year, following knee surgery, he closed out the season at triple-A Charlotte; and this season he went to spring training with the White Sox before being released.
Todd and Steppe both made the Bears roster out of spring training. Todd was batting .290 with 7 home runs, 19 doubles, 2 triples and 38 RBI in 55 games played; while Steppe was hitting .216 with 1 home run, 4 doubles and 9 RBI in 33 games.
After three games in Nashua, beginning this evening, the Bears return to The Den to host the Lancaster Barnstormers Friday night at 7:05 PM. Bears tickets may be purchased online at www.NewarkBears.com or by calling (973) 848-1000.
Atlantic League Stories from July 5, 2005
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- Bluefish to Regroup for Second Half - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Pride's Becker named Atlantic League Player of the Month - American Defenders of New Hampshire
- Patriots pitcher Tollberg named Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month - Somerset Patriots
- Bears acquire all-star Norm Hutchins - Newark Bears
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