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NYPL Aberdeen IronBirds

IronBirds Announce Opening Day Festivities

June 7, 2005 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Aberdeen IronBirds News Release


Aberdeen, MD – The Aberdeen IronBirds will kick-off their fourth season of play on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:35 p.m. at Ripken Stadium when they take on the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Two figures synonymous with Maryland sports will start the 2005 season when University of Maryland alum and Men's Basketball Head Coach Gary Williams throws out the ceremonial first pitch to Cal Ripken, Jr.

Williams will join Vi Ripken (2002); Aberdeen HS alum, Butkus Award winner and Minnesota Viking linebacker EJ Henderson (2003) and former Baltimore Ravens Owner Art Modell (2004) as Ceremonial First Pitch throwers in IronBirds Opening Day history. "We try to honor distinguished locals who have played a role in Maryland athletics on Opening Day," said IronBirds General Manager Jeff Eiseman.

Well on their way to being sold-out for the season, the IronBirds will join exclusive company when they become one of only two teams in Minor League Baseball history to sell-out every game in their first four years of existence. "This community is among the best baseball communities in the country and the fact that we are once again on the verge of being sold-out for the season is a testament to that," said Eiseman.

In addition to Coach Williams' first pitch, the IronBirds have pre-game fireworks and a flyover planned as part of the pre-game excitement for fans.

Opening Day will be the first opportunity to see former Orioles catcher Andy Etchebarren lead the new crop of Orioles' prospects in Aberdeen for the 2005 season. "Having people linked to the Orioles heyday in the 70s with the IronBirds is something I believe would bring a smile to Cal, Sr.'s face. I can't think of a better guy to be leading the IronBirds this season than ‘Etch'," added Eiseman.

In past seasons, the IronBirds have been a stepping stone for four alums that have since seen action for the Orioles: John Maine ('02 IronBird), Val Majewski (‘02-'03 IronBird), Jeff Fiorentino (‘04 IronBird) and Napoleon Calzado ('03 IronBird).

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