Bluefish land a big one
April 10, 2006 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
Bridgeport, CT - The Bridgeport Bluefish announced today that they have come to terms with 1B/DH Angel Echevarria. The seven-year MLB veteran is a native of the Park City and a graduate of Bassick High School.
Echevarria spent part of 2005 with the Iowa Cubs (AAA) and did a stint in the Mexican League before finishing the season representing Puerto Rico in International Competition.
In parts of seven seasons in the major leagues with the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, Echevarria compiled a lifetime .280 average with 21 HR and 90 RBI's. He also spent two seasons in Japan (2003 & 2004) with the Nippon Ham Fighters. In 2003 he hit a career high 31 homeruns.
This marks the second time that Echevarria has played as a professional in his home state. He played parts of two seasons with the New Haven Ravens when that club was the AA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. In 1995, he had a breakout season in New Haven posting 21 HR and 100 RBI's to go with a .300 batting average. He led that club to the Eastern League Championship Series.
Echevarria's signing reunites him with the Bluefish General Manager Charlie Dowd who held the same post with the New Haven Club. "I could not be more excited to welcome Angel back home to Bridgeport. He will provide a power bat in the middle of our lineup and veteran leadership in the clubhouse. I have always been impressed with the way that he has carried himself on and off the field and I look forward to seeing him in a Bluefish uniform."
Spring training for the Atlantic League begins April 17th in Lakeland, Florida. The Bluefish open the 2006 campaign on the road in Newark on April 28th. The home opener is slated for May 3rd at 7:05 PM as the Bluefish host the division rival Long Island Ducks.
The Bridgeport Bluefish Professional Baseball Club, a charter team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, plays its home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, located off Exit 27 of I-95 on the corner of Broad Street and South Frontage Road in Bridgeport. The Bluefish lead the league in franchise attendance, having drawn one million fans faster than any other team in Connecticut minor league history. 2006 season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available by calling 203-345-4800. The Bluefish home opener is May 3rd at 7:05 pm vs. the Long Island Ducks. Visit the Bluefish on-line at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.
Atlantic League Stories from April 10, 2006
- Surf update - Atlantic City Surf
- Co-MVP Foster to return, Barnstormers add two others - Lancaster Stormers
- Patriots sign two former Major League pitchers - Somerset Patriots
- Ducks sign MLB vet Figueroa - Long Island Ducks
- Bluefish land a big one - Bridgeport Bluefish
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