Curve Pitcher Davidson Joins Canadian OlympicTeam
July 28, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
ALTOONA- Dave Davidson authored a fantastic farewell to his Altoona Curve teammates on Sunday in Harrisburg, tossing three scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory in the Curve's 11-inning win over the Senators. The left-hander was making his final appearance with Altoona before leaving the club to join Team Canada for its preparations for the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Davidson left the Curve from Harrisburg Sunday evening to fly to Toronto for the start of Team Canada's pre-Olympic training camp on Monday. A native of St. Catherine's, Ontario, the 23-year old is one of 11 pitchers on the Canadian team's 24-man roster.
"This is an amazing opportunity for me to represent my country in the Olympics and to be part of an experience which will stay with me the rest of my life," said Davidson. "To wear your country's jersey is a remarkable feeling. I'm looking forward to traveling to China and coming back home with an Olympic Medal."
A member of the Pittsburgh Pirates' 40-man roster, Davidson pitched in a team-high 34 games for the Curve, going 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 63 innings of relief. He will likely re-join Altoona after the Olympics.
Davidson is one of five current Eastern Leaguers who will play for Team Canada in Beijing, joining fellow pitchers T.J. Burton (Akron) and Brooks McNiven (Connecticut) and infielders Emmanuel Garcia (Binghamton) and Matt Rogelstad (Harrisburg). Davidson also becomes just the third active Curve player to participate in the Olympics. In 2004, infielders Yurendell deCaster (Netherlands) and Kevin Nicholson (Canada) played in the Olympic baseball tournament in Athens, Greece.
Curve manager Tim Leiper, who coached third base for Canada's 2004 Olympic Team and the Canadian entry at the 2006 World Baseball Classic, is not a member of the 2008 Olympic coaching staff.
Media requesting additional information should contact Jason Dambach at (814) 943-5400 ext. 194 or jdambach@altoonacurve.com.
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