Former AL ROY to Attend Exhibition Opener
Published on May 2, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Kansas City Monarchs News Release
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City T-Bones kick off their 2009 exhibition season on Monday, May 4 at 7:05 against KCK. Joe Charboneau, 1980 American League Rookie of the Year, will be in attendance and available to sign autographs prior to the game.
Monday will be your first chance to see the 2009 version of the T-Bones as they prepare to defend their Northern League title. The T-Bones have brought back a number of players from an offense that became the first team in league history to drive in 600 runs as a team. Ken Harvey and 2008 Northern League Playoff MOP Jim Fasano are back, along with slugging catcher Craig Hurba and perennial all-star centerfielder Aharon Eggleston.
Brad Correll returns as well for his third season in Kansas City. Correll has seen his contract purchased by major league clubs in each of the last two seasons. He has hit .340 with 21 home runs and 66 RBI in 66 games with the T-Bones in that span.
Former Devil Ray and Kansas City product Damian Rolls joins the T-Bones this season after two seasons with Long Island in the independent Atlantic League. Left-hander Luis Villarreal prepares for his first season with Kansas City as well. Villarreal spent 2008 with Saltillo of the Mexican League and returns to the Northern League for the first time since 2006, when he won the Northern League's ERA title with a 2.71 mark. Villarreal no-hit the T-Bones as a Joliet JackHammer in 2005.
Charboneau won the American League Rookie of the Year award following a 1980 season in which he hit .289 with 23 home runs and 87 RBI with the Cleveland Indians. The former major league outfielder will be in the MeatLocker to sign autographs prior to the game and will coach first during the contest.
The T-Bones begin their title defense at home against the Winnipeg Goldeyes on May 15. Single-game tickets for the 2009 exhibition and regular season are on sale now and start at just $6. Season tickets, group tickets, mini-plans and All-You-Can-Eat plans are available as well. For more information, call 913-328-5618 or visit www.tbonesbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from May 2, 2009
- Former AL ROY to Attend Exhibition Opener - Kansas City Monarchs
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