Knotts Sold To Phillies; Bears Sign Former Major League Outfielder Ruben Mateo
Published on July 31, 2007 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, NJ - July 31, 2007 - The first half North Division champion Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club announced they have sold the contract of right-handed pitcher Gary Knotts to the Philadelphia Phillies, and have agreed to terms with former Major League outfielder Ruben Mateo. Knotts, who becomes the eighth Bears pitcher in 2007 to have his contract purchased and third to join the Phillies organization, will report to the Reading Phillies of the double-A Eastern League.
This season with the Bears, Knotts threw 108.2 innings striking out 86 batters and posting a 7-5 record with a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts. Currently, he is ranked first in the Atlantic League in ERA, second in strikeouts and complete games with two, including a complete game 1-0 shutout against the York Revolution on July 2, and third in innings pitched. In addition, he was one of six bears this season to be selected to play in the 2007 AL All-Star Game. During his ten year professional career, Knotts has appeared in 86 games at the Major League level striking out 162 batters in 267.1 innings pitched
Mateo, originally signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1994 by the Texas Rangers is currently in his 11th professional season. From 1999 through 2004, he appeared in 295 major league games with the Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Kansas City Royals, posting a career batting average of .250, with 106 runs scored, 89 RBI, 44 doubles, eight triples, and 21 home runs. Mateo began the 2007 season in Huntsville of the double-A Southern League, playing in 24 games scoring 14 runs and driving in 15.
With the signing of Mateo, the Bears have released outfielder Joe Jiannetti.
Atlantic League Stories from July 31, 2007
- Barnstormers Pick Up Third Straight Win - Lancaster Stormers
- Revolution Fall to Camden, 7-3 - York Revolution
- Bears Fall to Barnstormers, 12-10 - Newark Bears
- Leek Blanks Road Warriors with Complete Game Win - Long Island Ducks
- Patriots Top Bluefish - Somerset Patriots
- Patriots Sign Former New York Met Mike Kinkade - Somerset Patriots
- Knotts Sold To Phillies; Bears Sign Former Major League Outfielder Ruben Mateo - Newark Bears
- Patriots Defeat Bluefish 9-8 In 10 Innings - Somerset Patriots
- Revolution can't overcome Ducks - York Revolution
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