International League News & Notes

Published on April 7, 2005 under International League (IL1) News Release

BUFFALO BISONS
CHAMPIONS RETURN: Today, the Bisons open their 120th season of professional baseball in Buffalo and begin the defense of their 2004 Governors' Cup Championship as they open the 2005 season against the Richmond Braves (4:05 p.m.) at Dunn Tire Park. And when the Herd takes the field, they will look extremely similar to their championship team of a year ago. The Bisons Opening Day roster has 13 players who took part in Buffalo's championship season and nine that were on the Bisons roster when they won the Governors' Cup. (Fernando Cabrera, Francisco Cruceta, Ryan Garko, Brandon Phillips, Kenny Rayborn, Jake Robbins, Brian Tallet, Dusty Wathan, Ernie Young).

202 DAYS LATER: ...and Brian Tallet is still on the mound for Buffalo. The lefty gets the Opening Day start after retiring the Braves in order in the 9th inning of the Herd's Governor's Cup-clinching win in Game 4 on Friday, September 17. In 2003, he also had the unique privilege of starting the Bisons first 2 games of the season. Tallet took a no-decision in the opener on 4/3 vs. Pawtucket (5.0IP, 5H, 3R/3ER, 3BB, 6K), and then after six postponements, he earned the victory in the Herd's second game of the year on 4/10 at Ottawa (5.2IP, 3H, 3R/3ER, 4BB, 5K).

SOLID SPRINGS: While several Bisons had good springs, the list is topped by Joe Inglett. The 26-year old infielder hit .480 (12-25) with a double, a triple and two RBI. Inglett also put together an eight-game hitting streak this spring. Outfielder Darnell McDonald (.333, 1HR, 4RBI) and infielders Mike Kinkade (.421, 1HR, 5RBI) and Danny Garcia (3HR) also had solid springs for Buffalo.


CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS
KNIGHTS OPEN 2005 SEASON AGAINST CLIPPERS: The Charlotte Knights open their 2005 season in a four-day series with the Columbus Clippers at Knights Stadium, with the first pitch slated for 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 7. The home stand also includes games on Friday and Saturday night, both at 7:15 p.m., and Sunday afternoon at 2:15 p.m. In last season's opener, the Knights defeated the Clippers 3-2 at Cooper Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. For the season, the Knights went 8-4 against the Clippers, going 4-2 both home and away. The Clippers lead the Knights in all-time series history 89-83, but the Knights lead the Clippers 45-39 at Knights Stadium.

ADKINS ON THE MOUND FOR SEASON OPENER: RHP Jon Adkins, 27, will be on the mound for the Knights in their Thursday night opener against the Clippers. Adkins returns to the Knights after making 50 relief appearances with the Chicago White Sox in his first full season in the majors. The 5'11", 215 lb. pitcher went 2-3-0 with a 4.65 ERA last year with the Sox, where he was used solely as a reliever for the first time in his career. Among American League rookies, Adkins appeared on the leader board for games finished (5th, 19), appearances (8th, 50), IP (8th, 62.0), ERA (8th, 4.65) and strikeouts (T10th, 44).

THE KNIGHTS GO BIRDZERK: During the Knights' Friday night game, Birdzerk, the "entertainment whirlybird" who has dazzled crowds at dozens of ballparks and arenas around the world, invades Knights Stadium. Stocked with the best of tricks, Birdzerk will entertain Knights fans before the show and during inning breaks and harass the players, coaches and officials along the way.


COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
CLIPPERS ADD THREE NEW PLAYERS: The Clippers added two pitchers and a catcher to the roster in the last week. Pitchers Wayne Franklin and Pete Munro were signed to minor league contracts while catcher Wil Nieves was acquired in a trade that sent Bret Prinz to the Anaheim Angels. Franklin has spent parts of nine years in the Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, and Giants organizations. He has seen action in the majors with Houston (2000-01), Milwaukee (2002-03) and San Francisco (2004) compiling a 14-15 career record in 119 games. Franklin spent most of last year with San Francisco, going 2-1 in 43 games. Munro has pitched 10 years in professional baseball including parts of five seasons in the Major Leagues. In 120 games split between the Blue Jays and Astros he has recorded a 13-19 record. He started last season with Rochester, going 6-3 in 10 starts before being released by the Twins and signed by the Astros. He went on to finish the season with Houston including pitching 2 games in the NLCS. Nieves has played nine years, seven in the Padres organization and the last two in the Angels. He saw a brief stint with San Diego in 2002, playing in 28 games. Last season he hit .297 with 10 HR and 53 RBI for Salt Lake of the PCL. Nieves also made the mid-season PCL All-Star team.

HOWARD TO BE HONORED IN D.C.: Columbus first base coach and outfield instructor Frank Howard will not be with the Clippers for the home opener on April 15th because he will be attending the home opener for the Washington Nationals. Howard will be a part of the opening day festivities that will include the first pitch being thrown out by President Bush. The Senators great played seven seasons in Washington from 1965-1971. Howard, a.k.a. the Capital Punisher, hit 231 homeruns for the Senators, leading the American League twice (1968, 1970) with 44 HR both times.






DURHAM BULLS
LATE ADDITIONS: Eric Munson, former first-round pick of the Tigers, was signed to a minor-league contract after being released by Minnesota. Munson his 37 homers over the past two seasons with Detroit. In addition, infielder Jeff Deardorff, who hit 18 HR for Columbus a year ago, was added to the Bulls roster. He was to begin the season in Montgomery, but Michael Restovich, who Tampa Bay tried to pass through waivers and send to Durham, was claimed.

LATE SUBTRACTIONS: Joey Gathright was to begin 2005 as the Bulls centerfielder, but will now begin the year with Tampa Bay. Gathright was added to the Devil Rays when Alex Sanchez became the first casualty of Major League Baseball's new drug policy.

SOLID STARTERS: The Bulls begin 2005 with four starting pitchers who have major league experience. Brian Sweeney, the team's opening day starter, also has won 31 games over the last three years in the PCL. Sweeney will be joined by Doug Waechter, John Webb, Jim Magrane and Jason Roach. Magrane, the only member of the quintet who hasn't pitched in the majors, won a team-best eight games with the Bulls in 2004.




LOUISVILLE BATS
THE BATS FIVE: Louisville's starting five pitchers are Jose Acevedo, knuckleballer Jared Fernandez, Elizardo Ramirez, Steve Kelly and Jeriome Robertson. Acevedo will start Opening Day and has been in a Bats uniform for parts of three seasons after spending all of 2004 in Cincinnati. Fernandez is also familiar to Louisville as this is his third season in the River City after pitching the last two seasons in the Houston organization. Ramirez was traded by Philadelphia to the Reds August 11 as the player to be named later in the Cory Lidle for OF Jason Moran and LHP Joe Wilson trade. Kelly pitched in Double-A Chattanooga in 2004 posting a 12-7 record and 2.96 ERA which ranked second in the organization and the Southern League in ERA. He also tied for the SL lead in wins which was third in the organization. Robertson signed with Cincinnati to a Minor League contract November 11, 2004 after spending last season with Cleveland, Buffalo and Edmonton. His 15 victories with the Astros in 2003 led all Major League rookies and established a Houston franchise record for wins in a season by a rookie.

OUR BATS HAVE POP: The Bats have some pop this season with Rob Stratton, A.J. Zapp and Pedro Swann combining for 59 home runs in 2004. Though only appearing in 34 games for the Bats, Stratton led the team with 12 homers (he hit 3 while with Triple-A Fresno). Swann hit 15 for Ottawa and Zapp blasted 29 in Tacoma.

MAJOR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE: With 14 players on Louisville's active roster with Major League experience the Bats have a good mix of veterans and rookies. There are four players who have never played above Double-A (Daylan Childress, Steve Kelly, William Bergolla and Edwin Encarnacion) and one (Elizardo Ramirez) who appeared in seven games with the Phillies, but his other 78 appearances have not been above Double-A.




NORFOLK TIDES
TIDES GO WIRELESS: The Norfolk Tides are proud to announce a deal with Norfolk Wire & Electronics that will enable free wireless internet access at Harbor Park through the 2007 season. Fans will be able to bring a wireless-compatible device, such as a PDA or laptop computer, into Harbor Park and have unlimited free access to the internet. Internet access is also available for free at Hits at the Park Restaurant down the right field line.

TIDES KNOCK OFF OLD DOMINION IN EXHIBITION: The Norfolk Tides scored two runs in the third inning and three in the fourth, knocking off the Old Dominion Monarchs 5-0 in the Bank of the Commonwealth Classic Tuesday night at Harbor Park. Tides pitchers threw for both teams in the exhibition contest, and Old Dominion used a batting order consisting of 14 hitters. The game was the 16th in the series between the two teams, with the Tides now holding a 13-2-1 advantage. All proceeds from the game benefited the Baseball Scholarship Fund for Old Dominion University.

ROSTER INCLUDES MANY FORMER BIG LEAGUERS: The 2005 Norfolk Tides roster features 19 players who have appeared in the Major Leagues, 14 of whom did so in 2004. Pitchers Heath Bell, Steve Colyer, Aaron Heilman, David Lee, Juan Padilla, Jae Seo, and Scott Stewart, catcher Mike DiFelice, infielders Craig Brazell, Brian Daubach, and Jeff Keppinger, and outfielders Ron Calloway, Victor Diaz, and Gerald Williams all spent time in the Major Leagues last season. Pitchers Scott Strickland and Jose Santiago, catcher Fernando Lunar, and infielders Jed Hansen and Benji Gil have all appeared on a Major League roster prior to 2004.









OTTAWA LYNX
A LOOK AT THE 2005 LYNX: The Lynx 2005 team will be a veteran group, and as of the morning of April 7th, 13 of the 23 players on the Lynx roster have Major League experience. The Lynx pitching staff should be a strength for this team, as nine of the 12 men have spent time in the Major Leagues, while the other three have been accomplished pitchers moving up from Double-A. The Lynx offensive lineup will be looking to gain experience, as five of the 11 position players will be looking to spend their first full season at Triple-A. A look at the Lynx roster:
Oldest Player: RHP James Baldwin – 33 years, 267 days
Youngest Player: RHP Jacobo Sequea – 23 years, 220 days
Most Major League Experience, Pitcher: RHP James Baldwin, 238 games; Player: C Sal Fasano, 669 games
Triple-A Debuts: RHP Andy Mitchell, SS Ed Rogers, C Eli Whiteside and 1B Walter Young.
Batting Champions: 2 – OF Bobby Darula (2002 Southern League), INF Napoleon Calzado (2004 Southern League)

SPEED TO BURN: The Lynx currently have six men on their roster who have stolen 20 or more bases in a season, led by Tim Raines Jr. who has stolen 30 or more bases in each of his seven professional seasons. Here's a look at those players...
Career High / 2004 total
Calzado, Napoleon 42 (2002); 20 (2004)
Castro, Bernie 67 (2001); 17 (2004)
Nivar, Ramon 39 (2002); 16 (2004)
Raines Jr., Tim 81 (2000); 31 (2004)
Reed, Keith 29 (2000); 3 (2004)
Rogers, Ed 28 (2001); 20 (2004)

BALDWIN GETS THE NOD: Veteran RHP James Baldwin will make the opening day start for the Lynx when they take on the Louisville Bats tonight. Baldwin, a former American League All-Star, had a great spring with Baltimore, going 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in five games. Last year's opening day starter RHP Dave Borkowski, LHP Eric Dubose and RHP John Maine, will follow Baldwin in the rotation.


PAWTUCKET RED SOX
AN ACE UP THEIR SLEEVE: Next week we will discuss the 2005 PawSox, but the big story in Pawtucket and Boston involves Boston sports legend Curt Schilling. Most eyes today (including those watching live back in Rhode Island on Cox Sports Television and in other parts of New England on Comcast - CN8) will be focused on the PawSox debut of the Red Sox ace. Schilling, 38, will be making a rehab start for the PawSox this afternoon in the season-opener in Indianapolis at 3:00 pm (EDT) at Victory Field as he continues his recovery from off-season surgery to repair a detached tendon in his right ankle.

HIS PAWSOX DEBUT...FINALLY: Ironically, Schilling was originally drafted by the Red Sox in the 2nd round of the 1986 January draft, but never pitched for the PawSox. On July 29, 1988, after posting an 8-5 record with a 2.97 ERA for the Double-A New Britain Red Sox and on the verge of a promotion to Pawtucket, Curt was traded to Baltimore along with OF Brady Anderson for RHP Mike Boddicker.

SCHILLING IN 2005: Curt's comeback began when he made three minor league starts last month during spring training in Ft. Myers. The first was on March 20 in a minor league intra-squad game. His final two came with the PawSox including an impressive effort on Saturday, April 2 (7-innings, 1 run). Schilling then flew to New York and was at Yankee Stadium with his Red Sox teammates to open the 2005 season on Sunday night. He is expected to be on hand at Fenway Park this coming Monday when the Red Sox receive their World Series rings prior to their home-opener against the Yankees.

WHAT CAN HE DO FOR AN ENCORE: The 6-time Major League All-Star had a storybook first season with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 - leading the major leagues with 21 wins and an American League-best .778 winning pct. (21-6) during the regular-season. Then he turned in a heroic post-season performance in helping the Red Sox to their first World Championship since 1918. Curt went 3-1 in his four post-season starts for the Red Sox - all despite pitching with a detached tendon in his right ankle.

A HALL OF FAME LIST OF REHABBERS: Curt Schilling joins an illustrious group of Major League stars who have spent time with the PawSox on an injury rehab assignment over the years. The impressive list includes (in part): Marty Barrett (1989), Ellis Burks (1989), Jose Canseco (1995 & '96), Roger Clemens (1993 & '95), Dennis Eckersley (1998), Nomar Garciaparra (2001), Mike Greenwell (1995 & '96), Ramon Martinez (1999), Willie McGee (1995), Kevin Mitchell (1996), Trot Nixon (2004), Manny Ramirez (2002), Bret Saberhagen (1997 & 2000), Bob Stanley (1988), and John Valentin (2001).


RICHMOND BRAVES
A RETURN TO RICHMOND: Despite holding Grapefruit League opponents to a paltry .147 batting average and a 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings while striking out 9, Buddy Hernandez will return to Richmond for a third consecutive season. Hernandez was one of the last players cut from the Opening Day roster and should be at the top of the promotion list to Atlanta.

A BIG SPRING: 23 of the 24 players on the Richmond Braves' Opening Day roster saw action in Major League Spring Training. Atlanta's final cut sent Kevin Barry, Matt Childers, Buddy Hernandez, John Barnes, Esix Snead, and J.C. Boscan back to Richmond.

MOVIN' ON UP: The 2004 International League South Division Champion Richmond Braves have graduated 10 players to the majors. Horacio Ramirez, Roman Colon, Wilson Betemit, Pete Orr, Adam LaRoche and Ryan Langerhans made Atlanta's 25-man Opening Day roster. Nick Green (Tampa Bay), Russ Branyan (Milwaukee), Charles Thomas (Oakland) and Eli Marrero (Kansas City) are all on their respective clubs' Opening Day roster.
ROCHESTER RED WINGS
THREE MUSKETEERS: Manager Phil Roof and his entire coaching staff from the 2004 season will return for the 2005 campaign. Roof, Pitching Coach Bobby Cuellar and Hitting Coach Rich Miller are the first coaching staff to return in tact since 1986 & 1987 (manager John Hart, pitching coach Dom Chiti, and hitting coach Curt Motton). Roof is the first man to skipper the Wings for three straight seasons since Marvelous Marv Foley was at the helm from 1995 – 1998. Roof's Red Wings record in two seasons as the Wings manager is 141-146. His overall Minor League managerial record is 1,034 – 964. Game Two of the season will be the 2,000th regular season Minor League game that Roof has managed.

POWER COMPANY: The Wings 146 home runs last year were the most by a Rochester team since Joe Altobelli's 1971 team hit 147 long balls. The 2005 Wings have power potential as well. Garrett Jones hit 31 homers in 2004, Kevin West launched 29 dingers and Glenn Williams ripped 23 taters. Overall, 10 of the 13 position players have had at least one season of 10 or more home runs. 9 of the 13 have had at least one season of 13 or more homers. 7 of the 13 have had at least one season of at least 16 or more homers. 5 of the 13 have had at least one season of 20 or more homers.

THE NEED FOR SPEED: One area in which the Wings figure to be improved in 2005 is in team speed. Four Wings players (Brent Abernathy, Todd Dunwoody, Josh Rabe and Jason Tyner) have stolen 20 bases or more in a season at least once in their career. Abernathy, Rabe and Tyner all accomplished that last season. In fact, that trio all ranked in the top 5 in the IL in stolen base percentage in 2004 The Red Wings have not had a player lead the IL in stolen bases since Dallas Williams swiped 51 bags in 1981.


SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE
OPENING DAY GAMES: The Red Barons are hoping to have better luck today than they have had in previous season openers. From 1989 through 2004 they were just 5-11 and just 3-9 since 1993. They are currently on a five game season-opening losing streak including four straight losses at the hands of Ottawa. The last Red Barons opening win was April 8, 1999 vs. Pawtucket when Randy Wolf, Steve Schrenk and Darryl Scott combined on the 7-0 shutout. Torey Lovullo, Billy McMillon and Marc Ronan each homered...Their last home opener win was April 8, 2002 with a 7-4 win over Buffalo.

WHAT'S NEW?: The two major changes fans will notice this season at Lackawanna County Stadium are game times and parking. For the first time in team history, every Sunday home game will begin at 2:00 p.m. Also for the first time parking will be free. The $2.00 parking fee has been eliminated.

SERVICE TIME: Ten players on the roster have big league service time - Mike Bascik, Clay Condrey, Robert Ellis, Geoff Geary, A.J. Hinch, Ryan Howard, Mark Budzinski, Marlon Byrd, Jim Rushford and Shane Victorino. Five other players – Eude Brito, Martire Franco, Robinson Tejada, Carlos Ruiz and Danny Sandoval are all making their Triple-A debuts.


SYRACUSE SKYCHIEFS
BUILDING THE CHIEFS: The SkyChiefs roster features twelve Minor League free agents who signed this past off-season and six players acquired in trades since Blue Jays General Manager J.P. Riccardi took the helm in 2003. Chris Baker ('99), Dustin McGowan ('00) and Aaron Hill ('03) are the only players drafted by the Blue Jays on the Syracuse roster. Francisco Rosario (‘99), Guillermo Quiroz ('98) and Justin Singleton ('00) were signed as non-drafted free agents.

WELCOME BACK: Minor League free agents Ken Huckaby ('02-'03), Chad Mottola ('00, '02), Anthony Sanders ('98-'99, '03) and Anton French ('03) are back with Syracuse this season.

INJURY BUG: The injury bug has already hit the SkyChiefs as two projected starters, C Guillermo Quiroz and 3B John Hattig are expected to miss the first month of the season. Dustin McGowan will also begin the season on the SkyChiefs DL as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery last season.


TOLEDO MUD HENS
EXPERIENCE – A PLUS!: Years of experience will hopefully pay dividends for the Mud Hens this year. However, it has nothing to do with the players on the field. The Hens bench boss Larry Parrish, pitching coach Jeff Jones, and hitting coach Leon "Bull" Durham, combine for more years of IL experience with 16 than any other League coaching staff. Parrish is entering his 4th year (3rd consecutive) with the Hens, compiling a record of 186-218. Jones enters his 11th year with the Hens hurlers, while 2005 is Durham's 5th as the club's hitting instructor.

FAMILIAR FACES BACK AT FIFTH THIRD FIELD: Six players are back in Toledo after spending time with the Hens during the 2004 season. RHP Craig Dingman (1-2, 4.56 ERA), RHP John Ennis (9-5, 3.59 ERA, 10 S), RHP Jason Karnuth (5-2, 3.74 ERA, 2 S), C Brandon Harper (.190, 3 HR, 7 RBI), IF Chris Shelton (.339, 0 HR, 7 RBI), and OF Marcus Thames (.329, 24 HR, 59 RBI). Dingman, Ennis, and Karnuth will all anchor the Mud Hens bullpen and provide some quality Triple-A experience. Harper will serve as a backup to veteran Sandy Martinez behind the dish, while Shelton (Arizona Fall League MVP) and Thames have most certainly earned starting spots at their respective positions.

OH SAY CAN YOU SING?: On Saturday April 4, 2005, the Toledo Mud Hens held auditions, giving local talent the opportunity to perform the Star Spangled Banner prior to Hens games during the 2005 season. Soloists and vocal groups performed the Anthem in front of a panel of Mud Hens officials at Fifth Third Field. With many talented singers auditioning, a handful of them (10-15) have been selected to perform at selected home games this year.

International League Stories from April 7, 2005

• Braves and Bisons rained out - Gwinnett Stripers
• International League News & Notes - IL1
• R-Braves game notes - Gwinnett Stripers
• Bisons notes - Buffalo Bisons
• Ottawa Lynx, Police Services announce ticket-based community initiative - Ottawa Lynx

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