Coastal Bend signs Justin Drabek, Dustin Smith and Mike Goss
May 28, 2009 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Coastal Bend Thunder News Release
May 28, 2008 - ROBSTOWN, TX-----The Coastal Bend Thunder of the United League announce that they have signed pitcher Justin Drabek, along with outfielders Dustin Smith and Mike Goss to the 2009 squad. "With experience being an essential part of baseball, all of these players bring to the Thunder outstanding credentials" said Thunder manager Al Gallagher.
Drabek is a Woodlands, Texas native who played for Woodlands High School. He has three professional seasons under his belt and played last year for the McKinney Blue Thunder in the Continental League, where he posted an 11-8 record with an 1.69 era. Justin is the son of former National League Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros.
Smith is also the son of hall of fame shortstop Ozzie Smith. He played college baseball at Southwestern Illinois College. Last year he played professionally for the Newark Bears in the Atlantic League. "Dustin possesses the speed necessary to cover our big outfield here at Fairgrounds Field," said Gallagher.
Goss hails from Akerman, Mississippi. He was an 11th round draft pick of the Boston Redsox in the 2002 amateur draft, coming out of Jackson State University. He would have went much farther in the draft but teams were worried about his sign-ability due to his NFL potential as a Kick returner. "This guy can flat out fly," said Thunder General Manager C.J. Bauer. "When he was with Boston he was the fastest player in the organization. We're real excited to have him. With him and Dustin Smith in the outfield, we should be one of the fastest outfields in the league."
Goss was sent to the Arizona Diamondback during 2003 in the trade that brought Curt Schilling to Boston. In 2004 he played for El Paso in the Texas League. From 2005-2008 he played for various Independent League teams. He has a career batting average of 292 with 211 RBIs.
The Thunder also announce today that Ed McCaskey joined the front office as an intern. McCaskey is the great grandson of George S. Halas, aka Papa Bear, founder and former coach of the Chicago Bears. His grandmother, Virginia McCaskey is the current owner of the Bears. Ed recently graduated from Wheaton College where he was a pitcher on their baseball team. Last summer he interned at the NFL league office in New York. "Ed's a real sharp individual and was raised around professional sports," said Bauer. "He wanted to gain some experience on the baseball management side and were glad to have him."
The Thunder opens it season June 11 in Harlingen then return for their home opener on June 15th against the Edinburg Roadrunners.
United League Baseball Stories from May 28, 2009
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- Dillas to host tryouts at Amarillo National Dilla Villa - Amarillo Dillas
- Coastal Bend signs Justin Drabek, Dustin Smith and Mike Goss - Coastal Bend Thunder
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