Miners Trade Victor, Add Lee
Published on January 7, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
MARION, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners have traded infielder Mike Victor to the Florence Freedom for right-handed starting pitcher Gary Lee. Victor was the last remaining Miner who was with the team for every game since the team began its first season in 2007.
Victor hit .253 with eight home runs and 39 RBI in 87 games with the Miners. He was the starting third baseman for the team's first ever game in 2007.
"I can't thank Mike Victor enough for the hard work and effort he put forth for the Miners over the last two seasons. He is not only a quality player but an even better person and teammate. I will miss having him part of this team."
The 23-year-old Lee will enter his third season of professional baseball. He began the 2008 season with the River City Rascals where he went 2-0 as a reliever. In August he was traded to Florence where he was 3-3 with a 3.99 ERA in seven starts, two of them complete games. Lee began his professional career with the Aiken Foxhounds of the South Coast League in 2007. He made 35 relief appearances with Aiken and posted a 2.98 ERA, which would have been good enough for fifth best in the league if he had enough innings to qualify.
"With the loss of Ryan Bird to the Cardinals and Little to age, we wanted to bring in a pitcher with some experience. Gary had success with the Freedom as a starter and we are looking at him to be part of our rotation in 2009."
Victor came to the Miners as a third baseman, a position where the Miners have produced all-stars Chris Hall and Brandon Jones over the past two seasons. This left Victor as a backup for much of his time in Southern Illinois. In his two season with the team he hit .429 (9-for-21) as a pinch hitter.
"With us having Brad Miller at third and Joey Metropolous at first this year, it really wasn't going to give Mike the at bats he needs. This is a chance for him to be an everyday player, and it was the right thing to do for Mike and for the Miners."
The Miners will begin the 2009 season in Evansville on Friday, May 22. The home opener is scheduled for Friday, May 29 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest news and updates, visit www.southernillinoisminers.com.
Frontier League Stories from January 7, 2009
- Miners Trade Victor, Add Lee - Southern Illinois Miners
- Angels Pick Up Dorn - Southern Illinois Miners
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
