Current Pirates to Participate in Curve Opening Night Ceremonies
Published on March 30, 2007 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA- With as many as 15 former Altoona Curve players expected to open the 2007 season on the Pittsburgh Pirates' Opening Day roster, the "Road to the Show" for many Bucco minor leaguers has passed through Blair County Ballpark within just the past few years.
To show that fact, the Curve have invited several current Buccos to return to Altoona and help the club celebrate its strong relationship with the Pirates and to help kick off the 2007 home schedule at Blair County Ballpark.
Former Curve standouts -- and current Pirates pitchers -- Matt Capps, Tom Gorzelanny and Paul Maholm are confirmed to participate in a special pre-game ceremony prior to the Curve's Home Opener on Thursday, April 12th at 6:35 PM against the Reading Phillies.
April 12 is a scheduled home off day for the Pirates, allowing the former Curve stars to return to Altoona for the Opening Night festivities.
"The connection we have with our former players who are currently with the Pirates or any other major league team is still very strong and we wanted to bring some of them back not only to show our fans the relationship we still have with those players, but to allow them to celebrate their rise to the big leagues with the same fans who cheered them on every night just a few short years ago," said Curve General Manager Todd Parnell.
"Dave Littlefield, Brian Graham and everyone involved with the Pirates have been so wonderful to work with for the past several years and we are excited to continue our tremendous partnership and friendship this season and well into the future," said Curve President & Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg. "The Pirates cooperation on this event and many others that we have done in the past is very important to us and ultimately results in giving Pirate and Curve fans alike a wonderful experience at the ballpark."
Capps, Gorzelanny and Maholm each pitched for the Curve during the 2005 season before making their major league debuts with Pittsburgh later that season. All three pitchers established themselves as solid big leaguers during the 2006 season and will open their second full major league campaign on Monday, when the Bucs travel to Houston for their Season Opener.
Capps spent the entire 2006 season pitching out of the Pirates' bullpen and was one of the most-used pitchers in the major leagues. The right-hander pitched in a club rookie record 85 games, posting a 9-1 record and 3.79 ERA. His 85 appearances ranked him second among all National League hurlers.
Gorzelanny joined the Pirates' starting rotation in mid-July after being named an International League All-Star at Triple-A Indianapolis. The left-hander, who was Pittsburgh's second round selection in the 2003 June Draft, made 11 starts for the Pirates, going 2-5 with a solid 3.79 ERA.
Maholm was a member of the Bucs' rotation the entire 2006 season and went 8-10 with a 4.76 ERA in 30 starts and 176 innings. The Pirates' first round selection in the 2003 June Draft finished third among all National League rookies in starts and innings pitched and fifth in strikeouts.
Tickets for the Curve's Home Opener on Thursday, April 12th are still available and can be purchased by visiting the Blair County Ballpark Ticket Office weekdays from 9-5 and Saturdays from 10-2, by calling toll-free (877) 99-CURVE or by visiting www.altoonacurve.com.
In addition to the special pre-game ceremony prior to the Home Opener, fans attending the April 12th contest will receive a Curve Magnet Schedule (first 5,000 fans) and enjoy the first of 20 spectacular post-game fireworks shows courtesy of AIG. Gates will open at the special time of 5 PM for the first Curve Happy Hour event of the season.
The Home Opener kicks off a four-game series against Reading, which runs through Sunday, April 15th. On Friday the 13th at 6:35 PM, the first 2,000 fans will take home a Curve Blanket compliments of the Central PA Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Saturday the 14th's contest against Reading starts at 5:05 PM and features another post-game fireworks extravaganza. The opening series at Blair County Ballpark concludes on Sunday the 15th at 3:05 PM with a Curve Schedule Poster Giveaway to the first 5,000 fans, plus kids run the bases following the game.
The Curve's complete 2007 promotional schedule can be viewed at www.altoonacurve.com.
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