Jose Canseco to Play for the Cats in Opening Home Stand
May 19, 2013 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Fort Worth Cats News Release
United League President Byron Pierce announced this weekend that former major leaguer Jose Canseco will join the Fort Worth Cats baseball club as player/coach for the first home stand of the 2013 season.
Jose Canseco had a decorated Major League Baseball career playing for eight different teams from 1985-2001, including the Texas Rangers ('92-'94). The six-time All Star won the World Series twice, was a Silver Slugger four times, hit 486 career home runs, won the coveted Most Valuable Player award for the American League in 1988, was named the American League Rookie of the Year, and won the Comeback Player of the Year award.
"Jose played for The United League in 2010 in Laredo and was a huge draw," exclaimed Byron Pierce. "We are excited to have him back in Texas and especially Fort Worth, where he has many fond memories of his time with the Texas Rangers."
Canseco will be reunited with Cats manager Jim Essian, who played with Jose Canseco in the Oakland Athletics spring training camp.
"Jose was a young invitee to the A's training camp, and I was a catcher at the time," said Essian. "The second I saw the young Jose swing a bat, I knew he would be a special player. I immediately asked the coaching staff if he would be heading north with us."
"I am excited to come to Fort Worth and mentor the young ballplayers," exclaimed Canseco. "I love Dallas/Fort Worth and I can't wait to go up against Ozzie."
The Cats open their 2013 campaign at home on Thursday, May 23 when they face the Edinburg Roadrunners. Edinburg is managed by Ozzie Canseco, the identical twin brother of Jose. The two brothers will square off in the first four games of the season before the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings come to Fort Worth to face the Cats.
The opening week of United League Baseball leads off the Cats 2013 campaign with 48 Cats home games in all being played at historic LaGrave Field. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (817) 332-CATS or online at FWCats.com.
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United League Baseball Stories from May 19, 2013
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- Roadrunners Set for Exhibition - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Jose Canseco to Play for the Cats in Opening Home Stand - Fort Worth Cats
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