Captains bring in quartet of veterans

Published on March 5, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Shreveport-Bossier Captains News Release


SHREVPORT, La. - As new manager Ricky VanAsselberg said when he was introduced nearly two months ago, he cannot guarantee a championship for Shreveport-Bossier. However, the Captains' skipper promised a competitive team, and on paper, he has one.

The Captains acquired four veterans, outfielder Selwyn Langaigne and infielders Rafael Ozuna, Richard Paz, and Andres Rodriguez to help try to restore the team to American Association contention. Langaigne, Ozuna, and Paz were all signed as free agents, while Rodriguez was acquired with infielder Aaron Cone from the San Angelo (Texas) Colts of the United League for future considerations.

Langaigne, who turns 33 later this month, was recently named an all-star in the 2009 Caribbean Series, where he played for Aragua of his native Venezuela, which went on to win the prestigious championship. The 6-foot, 180-pound lefty played most recently for Alexandria (La.) of the United League in 2008, hitting .330 with five homers and 50 RBIs in 71 games.

Born in the capital city of Caracas, Venezuela, and currently residing in Las Acaias, Langaigne began his pro career back in 1994 with the Blue Jays organization. He reached the triple-A level with Syracuse in 2000, playing parts of the 2000, '01, and '02 seasons one rung below the majors. After being released by Toronto in 2003, Langaigne spent the next two seasons with the Rio Grande Valley (Texas) WhiteWings, the Jackson (Miss.) Senators, both of the Central League, as well as Tijuana in Mexico. In 2005, he was picked up by the Twins, playing 34 games for double-A New Britain before returning to Jackson to finish out the season. Langaigne then played the last three years splitting time between Mexico and Alexandria.

In his 15 pro seasons, Langaigne has a .289 average, with 53 home runs and 637 RBIs in nearly 1,400 games. He also has 193 stolen bases and has only struck out 818 times.

The 34-year-old Ozuna is the oldest player on the Captains roster, and also spent time with the Aces last year. He originally signed with the Dodgers in 1994 out of San Cristobal, D.R., making it to class A before being released. He played in the now-defunct Western League before joining Alexandria last season. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound switch-hitter hit .326 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs in just 46 games as the Aces shortstop.

Like Langaigne and Ozuna, Paz also started his pro career in 1994, after being signed as a non-drafted free agent by Baltimore at the age of 16. He advanced to double-A before being released after the 2000 season. After a year in double-A with the Pirates organization and one with the Royals, Paz was signed by the Brewers and was promoted to triple-A Indianapolis midway through the 2003 season, where he hit .351 in 36 games. He began the 2004 season with triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization and hit .263 before finishing the year in double-A Birmingham.

He hit over .300 in two full seasons with Alexandria from 2006-07, and was then signed by the Astros, where he was a double-A all-star last season before finishing the year up in triple-A. In his 14 years, Paz is a .279 career hitter, with 52 homers and 590 RBIs.

"It's great to have all three of these guys with me again," VanAsselberg said of his three once and again players. "Selwyn, Rafael, and Rich are all real pros who come ready to play and win day in and day out."

VanAsselberg managed Alexandria from 2006-08, winning two championships and earning another berth in the championship series last season.

Rodriguez, who turned 30 this past Valentine's Day, comes off a record season for San Angelo. The 6-5, 250-pounnder hit .368 with 21 homers and 107 RBIs in just 83 games, missing out on the league's triple crown by four points. He started his career with the Mets in 1998, advancing to high-A ball before being released after the 2004 season. He spent two seasons in San Angelo, amassing 33 homers and 160 RBIs in 178 games.

The big first baseman also is solid with the glove, posting at least a .980 fielding percentage in each of his seasons, including two of .991.

"It's sure nice to have Andres in my dugout this time, after watching him nearly beat us singlehandedly in the playoffs last year," VanAsselberg said. "The guy can just flat out hit, and he is no slouch at first, either."

The rest of the Captains' roster will be profiled in the coming weeks.

"With these veterans to lead the way, as well as our young guys and our returners, I know we can compete with everyone in this league," VanAsselberg added. "We might not win it all, but we are sure going to be good."

The Shreveport-Bossier Captains open the 2009 season in Pensacola on May 14, and will be on the road for the first series of their 2009 campaign. The Shreveport-Bossier Captains' first game at Fair Grounds Field will be May 19, against Grand Prairie. For information on tickets, promotions, advertising, and other opportunities with the Captains, check out the team's Web site at www.sbcaptains.com, or call the Fair Grounds Field office at (318) 636-5555.

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