Bears sign four more pitchers
Published on April 9, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, N.J. - The Newark Bears today announced the addition of right-handed pitchers Mike Eusebio, John Mangieri, Tom Stepka and Matt Wagner. All four are newcomers to the defending Atlantic League champs and figure to bolster a pitching staff that already has eight members.
"You can never have enough pitching," Bears Vice President/General Manager Chris Bryan said. "All four of these players add depth to our pitching staff and can contribute in a variety of roles."
A converted middle infielder, Eusebio never pitched until last season as a member of the Reds' chain. After signing with Cincinnati as an undrafted free agent, he spent time with Reds affiliates in the Midwest, Gulf Coast and California Leagues. All told, he appeared in 26 games, all from the bullpen, putting together a 5-1 record. He struck out 35 batters in 40 2/3 innings of work while compiling a 4.43 ERA. He finished 2002 as a member of Stockton's California League Championship team, yielding one earned run in just five innings of action. A native and resident of Hoboken, Eusebio was a standout shortstop at Savannah State University for two seasons. In high school, he was a two-time All-New Jersey and All-American shortstop.
An Atlantic League veteran, Mangieri arrives in Newark after spending 2001 with Atlantic City and 2002 with Pennsylvania. This season marks the Howard Beach, N.Y. native's seventh in professional baseball. He has appeared in 105 games and has a lifetime ERA of 6.63 with 91 strikeouts. An 11th-round selection of the Mets following time spent at St. Francis College, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound Mangieri played for two seasons in New York's chain with affiliates in the New York-Penn and Gulf Coast Leagues.
A 10th round selection by Colorado in the 1996 draft, Stepka has spent his entire six-year professional career in the Rockies' chain mainly as a member of Colorado affiliates Salem (Carolina) and Asheville (South Atlantic). The Buffalo-area product has a 26-32 record with a 4.07 lifetime ERA. He has struck out 344 batters and walked just 113 in his career. Stepka's most active year of late came in 2002 with Salem as he appeared in 45 games, primarily out of the bullpen and logged exactly 100 innings. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder produced a 2.97 ERA while making three starts and collecting five saves.
A player who appeared in the Major Leagues in 1996 as a member of the Seattle Mariners, Wagner will embark on Year Three of his personal comeback this season after spending 2002 with Pennsylvania. A standout at Iowa State, Wagner was a third-round pick of Seattle in the 1994 draft, rapidly ascending up the Mariners' minor league ladder. He began 1995 with Port City of the Southern League, fanning 111 batters in 137 innings to earn a promotion to AAA Tacoma. Prior to his callup to the big leagues, Wagner went 10-7 in his two seasons with the Rainiers, sending away 115 batters by way of strikeout. His chance to don a Mariners' uniform came in mid-1996 as he started 14 games for Seattle, going 3-5. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder was then traded to Montreal where he spent two seasons in the minor leagues before an arm injury caused him to temporarily retire. Wagner made his return to baseball after two seasons away from the game in 2001, pitching for both New Jersey and Allentown of the Northeast League. For his career, Wagner has a 23-32 mark with 402 strikeouts in 134 appearances.
Canadian American League Stories from April 9, 2003
- 20 NEL Alumni on Opening Day Rosters - Can-Am
- Ambassadors Ink New Pitching Coach - Allentown Ambassadors
- Bears sign four more pitchers - Newark Bears
- Surf and Riversharks to Reschedule Tryouts in AC for April 13 - Atlantic City Surf
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.
