Lugnuts Opening Day Roster Announced
Published on April 5, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
Lansing, MI- The 2004 Lansing Lugnuts Opening Day roster is officially set. Thirteen players who have worn a Lugnut uniform at some point during their minor league career will highlight a 25-man roster that opens the 2004 campaign at the Battle Creek Yankees on Thursday, April 8th at 6:00 p.m. The Lugnuts' home opener is set for Friday, April 16th when they play host to the South Bend Silver Hawks at 7:05 p.m.
Pitchers Ronald Bay and Sean Marshall highlight the pitching staff, which will feature six of the thirteen familiar faces on Lansing's roster. Bay, the Cubs' 25th round draft pick in 2002 went 7-1 for Mesa (R) last season. Marshall spent a majority of the 2003 season with Boise (A), going 5-6 with a 2.57 ERA before winning both of his outings with the Lugnuts, including his Game 2 win in the Eastern Division Championship Series. Other notables on the pitching staff include Billy Petrick, who was 2-5 with Boise (A) and Jermaine Van Buren, who was 9-4 with the Fort Worth Cats in the independent Central League. Other familiar names on the pitching staff include Carlos Marmol, Adalberto Mendez, Weston O'Brien, Clay Rapada and Randy Wells.
Outfielder Ryan Fitzgerald, who hit .381 for Mesa, and sluggers Brian Dopirak and Andrew Larsen will bolster the Lugnuts' offense along with the return of 2003 lineup regulars Kevin Collins, Robinson Chirinos and Jake Fox. Fox, C.J. Medlin and Alan Rick will anchor the catching duties. Chirinos, Collins, Dopirak and Alfredo Francisco are infielders that have seen action in Lansing, while Larsen and Carlos Rojas are newcomers. Kyle Boyer, Fitzgerald, Tony McQuade and Chris Walker will patrol the Lugnuts' outfield.
Manager Julio Garcia and coaches Mike Micucci and Mike Anderson all return to Lansing for their fourth season. Under Garcia's guidance, the Lugnuts have qualified for the Midwest League playoffs each of his three seasons and have advanced to the Midwest League Championship Series the last two seasons, losing in 2002 to Peoria and winning it all last season over Beloit. Athletic trainer Chuck Baughman replaces Jason Palmateer and rounds out the coaching staff.
The Lugnuts will arrive in Lansing around 6:00 p.m. on Monday and will hold practices on Tuesday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday April 7th at 1:00 p.m. Please contact Seth VanHoven at 517-485-4500 ext. 233 to set up media requests and to confirm practice times for both dates.
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