Jose Herrera returns for third season with Bears
Published on March 22, 2007 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, NJ - March 22, 2007 - The Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club announced outfielder Jose Herrera has agreed to a contract for the 2007 season. The two-time Atlantic League All-Star and former major leaguer will begin his 16th professional season and third with the Bears when spring training starts on April 21.
Last season, Herrera appeared in an injury-shortened 69 games scoring 45 runs while driving in 50. He reached base safely in 40 of his first 45 games, and his .305 batting average ranked tenth in the Atlantic League. For the second consecutive season, the veteran of over 1300 professional games represented the Bears in the AL All-Star Game.
In 2005, Herrera set career highs with 75 runs scored, 68 RBI, and 16 home runs, while finishing eighth in the Atlantic League with a .318 batting average. The 2005 Bears Player of the Year put together a 19-game hitting streak during the season, and was on an 11-game hitting streak in late August when he was signed by the Baltimore Orioles to play with their double-A affiliate Bowie of the Eastern League.
Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1990 by the Toronto Blue Jays, Herrera was later traded by the Blue Jays to the Oakland Athletics for future Bears outfielder Rickey Henderson in 1993. He spent the majority of the 1995 and 1996 seasons at the major league level with Oakland appearing in 141 games, batting .264 with 25 extra-base hits.
"Jose has been the leader of the Bears on and off the field since 2005," said Bears Assistant General Manager of Baseball Operations Jim Cerny. "This season we will look for him to lead this team by example, and continue the consistency that has led him to two Atlantic League All-Star appearances."
The Newark Bears will begin their ninth season at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium on Tuesday, May 8 against the Bridgeport Bluefish. Fans attending all home games may park in the spacious parking garage located behind the wall in right field. For more information and up-to-date news on the Bears, log on to the team's official website www.newarkbears.com or call 1-866-55-4BEAR.
Atlantic League Stories from March 22, 2007
- Jose Herrera returns for third season with Bears - Newark Bears
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