Five JackHammers for a Rose
Published on May 18, 2003 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL â The Joliet JackHammers made the most significant trade in their franchise's brief history. The JackHammers traded second baseman/shortstop Chad Henry, third baseman Pichi Balet, starting right-handed pitcher Wilson Sido, and right-handed relievers Jon Rohlfing and Adam Shafer to the Northern League's Sioux City (IA) Explorers for left-handed hitting first baseman Pete Rose, Jr., the son of Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader. The JackHammers open the 2003 season at 7:05 PM on Friday, May 23 versus the Gary (IN) SouthShore RailCats at Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet.
Rose, 33, has played 11 games in the major leagues and 1,297 games in the minor leagues. He played in the major leagues for the Cincinnati Reds in 1997 where he batted .143 (2-for-14) with a pair of runs scored. In the minor leagues, Rose played in the following organizations: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies. He has also played for the following independent teams: New Jersey (Northeast and Northern League East Leagues) and Winnipeg (Northern League).
The 2003 season is Rose's 15th in pro baseball. Originally, the Orioles selected Rose in the 12th round of the '88 June draft out of Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati, OH. Through those 1,297 games played in the minors, Rose is batting .264 (1,207-for-4,577) with 30 triples, 32 stolen bases, 92 home runs, 241 doubles, 465 walks, 557 strikeouts, 607 runs scored and 650 RBI. Rose has played from Rookie-A to Triple-A in the minor leagues. Throughout his career, Rose has played first base, third base and outfield. In Joliet, he will play first base. On March 31, 1991, the Orioles traded Rose to the White Sox for RHP Joe Borowski who now plays for the Cubs.
Last season, Rose played for the Northern League's Winnipeg Goldeyes where he batted .344 (72-for-209) with a triple, eight home runs, 17 doubles, 17 strikeouts, 36 runs scored, 37 walks, and 53 RBI through 56 games played. Rose began the 2003 season playing for Cordoba in the Mexican League where he batted .274 (29-for-106) with three doubles, four home runs, 13 runs scored, 15 walks, 18 RBI and 19 strikeouts through 29 games played.
Rose stands 6'1" and weighs 220 pounds. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Rose was born on November 16, 1969 (33 years old) in Cincinnati, Ohio where he currently resides. His father recorded 4,256 hits from 1963-1986 in MLB.
Henry and Rohlfing played on the JackHammers inaugural season squad of 2002. Balet, Sido and Shafer were off-season acquisitions. Henry is a second year player out of Mississippi State University and batted .261 in 59 games played for the JackHammers last season. Rohlfing was 1-and-1 with a 2.03 ERA in 20 relief outings last season for the JackHammers before undergoing "Tommy John" surgery. Lat season, Balet led the Frontier League with a .405 batting average while playing for Cook County. Shafer also played in the Frontier League, but for River City and was 4-and-3 with a 2.81 ERA. Sido pitched for the Northern League's Lincoln Saltdogs and in the Cleveland Indians organization last year. Name pronunciations â Rohlfing (Rawl fing), Balet (Buh let) and Sido (See doe).
"When you come to [spring] camp with players, it's easy to grow attached and can be difficult to release or trade them, but we had a specific need in obtaining a left-handed hitter and got one of the best hitters in the Northern League in Pete Rose, Jr. I spoke to Pete today [Sunday]. He's excited to come here. Joliet was his first choice and can't wait to get here. He will bat in the clean-up spot for us," said Matt Nokes, the JackHammers Manager.
Rose will be in uniform at 6:05 PM on Tuesday, May 20 when the JackHammers host the Gary (IN) SouthShore RailCats at Silver Cross Field in the final exhibition game. In lieu of paying for tickets, The United Way will be present to accept donations.
The JackHammers have full season tickets, group packages, mini-plans (five and nine games) and individual game tickets available for purchase. Group packages include picnics, Dairy Queen Birthday Bash, DesRochers Spa & Party Patio (hot tub), luxury suites, Dream Team and fundraising opportunities. The JackHammers can be contacted at 815-726-BALL (2255), by e-mail at info@jackhammerbaseball.com, visit the Silver Cross Field ticket offices and visit the team on-line at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from May 18, 2003
- Five JackHammers for a Rose - Joliet JackHammers
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