Newark Bears Sign Former Rutgers Star Val Majewski
Published on April 23, 2008 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, NJ, Apr. 23, 2008-The defending Atlantic League Champion Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club announced today that the team has sold the contract of outfielder Ruben Mateo to a team in Mexico, and has also signed former Major League outfielder Val Majewski to a contract for the 2008 season.
The 26 year-old Majewski had been working out with the Bears as a non-roster invitee to spring training since being released late this spring by the Baltimore Orioles. A native of Freehold, NJ, Majewski was a 3rd round selection of the Orioles out of Rutgers University in the 2002 draft. In college he was a teammate of right-handed pitcher Bobby Brownlie, who would go onto become a 1st round pick of the Chicago Cubs before pitching for the Bears during the 2007 campaign.
A lifetime .285 hitter at the minor league level, Majewski was Baltimore's Minor League Player of the Year in 2004 when he hit .307 with 15 home runs and 44 extra-base hits, while driving in 80 runs at Double-A Bowie. That terrific season earned Majewski a call to the Major Leagues, where he appeared in 9 games for the Orioles to close out 2004.
Majewski, unfortunately, missed the entire 2005 campaign with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. However, he returned to play 99 games at Triple-A Ottawa in 2006 before batting .295 at Bowie in 2007.
"We are extremely fortunate to be able to add a player with Val Majewski's talent and experience this close to the start of the season," said Newark Bears Assistant General Manager of Baseball Operations Jim Cerny. "We expect him to be a major force on the field, as well as a recognizable face off of it, just as his buddy Bobby Brownlie was a year ago for us."
The Bears open up defense of their 2007 Atlantic League Championship this Friday, April 25th against the Long Island Ducks, before playing their home opener on Tuesday, April 29th at 7:05PM against the Bridgeport Bluefish at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. The home opener will feature a pre-game championship ceremony, an appearance by the loveable traveling mascot Rally, post-game fireworks, and all fans will receive a Bears 2008 magnetic schedule, presented by WSOU-89.5 FM.
Bears ticket information may be obtained by calling 1-866-55-4BEAR and by logging on to the team's official website, www.newarkbears.com.
Atlantic League Stories from April 23, 2008
- Bluefish Add Two Big Bats To Lineup - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Bears Close Out Pre-Season Sched With 11-11 Tie - Newark Bears
- Newark Bears Sign Former Rutgers Star Val Majewski - Newark Bears
- Martin Signs With Long Island - Long Island Ducks
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