Northern League update

Published on June 26, 2007 under Northern League (NL) News Release


RailCats Close to Clinching South Title While North Division has New Leader, Again

With two weeks left to play in the first half, the Gary SouthShore RailCats are close to clinching the South Division First Half Title. Meanwhile, the North Division continues to be a three horse race. Two weeks ago, the Winnipeg Goldeyes had a one game lead over the Calgary Vipers and Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Since then, the Vipers have moved into a half game lead over the RedHawks and one and a half over the Goldeyes.

With 13 games remaining the RailCats magic number sat at five. Any combination of Gary wins and/or Joliet losses equaling five and the RailCats will clinch the first half and a berth into the 2007 playoffs. They have been atop the division wire-to-wire and have had sole possession of first place since May 23rd.

The North Division looks like it will come down to the final games to determine the first half champ. Following off days on June 25th, the three contenders have 13 games remaining. The Goldeyes will have eight games at home and five on the road, while the Vipers and RedHawks will each have five at home and eight on the road. Calgary looks to have the easiest schedule as their opponents have a combined winning percentage of .433 (45-59) compared to Fargo's .514 (54-51) and Winnipeg's .562 (59-46). Both the Goldeyes and RedHawks will face the RailCats, the league's top team thus far.

Remaining Schedules # of Games Calgary Fargo-Moorhead Winnipeg

June 26th - 28th 3 @ Winnipeg @ Schaumburg CALGARY

June 29th - July 3rd 5 KANSAS CITY JOLIET GARY

July 4th - 8th 5 @ Schaumburg @ Gary @ Kansas City

note: The RedHawks-Goldeyes rained out game from June 7th will only be played if the two teams

finish the half in a first place tie.

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Northern League Alumni - Location Update

Below is a list of the active Northern League alumni playing affiliated ball:

Pos. Player NL Team Organization 2007 Team (level)

LHP Tim Byrdak Joliet/Gary Tigers Detroit (majors)

RHP Ken Chenard Winnipeg Rangers Frisco (AA)

OF Brad Correll Kansas City Red Sox Lancaster (A)

C Chris Coste Fargo-Moorhead Phillies Reading (AA)

RHP Gabe DeHoyos Schaumburg Royals Omaha (AAA)

RHP Byron Embry Gary/Kansas City Mariners Tacoma (AAA)

OF Nathan Haynes Gary Angels Los Angeles (majors)

C Craig Hurba Kansas City Mariners Arizona (Rookie)

OF Greg Jacobs Kansas City Phillies Reading (AA)

OF Todd Martin Gary Indians Mahoning Valley (A)

RHP Derell McCall Joliet Marlins Greensboro (A)

1B Brian Myrow Winnipeg Padres Portland (AAA)

LHP Anthony Pluta Calgary Rangers Bakersfield (A)

2B Eric Riggs Winnipeg/Schaumburg Marlins Carolina (AA)

OF Jim Rushford Schaumburg Orioles Ottawa (AAA)

LHP George Sherrill Winnipeg Mariners Seattle (majors)

OF Mike Spidale Kansas City Phillies Reading (AA)

LHP R.J. Swindle Schaumburg Yankees Lakewood (A)

LHP Luis Villarreal Winnipeg/Joliet Phillies Clearwater (A)

LHP Mike Wagner Winnipeg Mariners Wisconsin (A)

OF Jon Weber Fargo-Moorhead Rangers Bakersfield (A)

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Former Northern Leaguer Ties 63-year-old California League Record

On June 23rd playing in only his fifth game as a member of the Boston Red Sox organization, former Kansas City T-Bones outfielder Brad Correll connected for four home runs in a one game for the Lancaster JetHawks. He became only the second player in the league's 63-year-old history to accomplish that feat. Amazingly enough, the record was first set earlier in 2007 by Correll's new Lancaster teammate Aaron Bates.

The history-making night started in the first inning when Correll hit a two-run homer to give the JetHawks a 3-0 lead. He added a solo shot in the third inning, a three-run blast in the sixth, and another two-run home run in the eighth. He finished the game going 4-for-5 with a franchise record eight RBI. He connected for another home run on June 24th, continuing a red-hot span of hitting seven round-trippers in four games (only 19 at-bats).

Correll had his T-Bones contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox on June 13th, becoming the third player this season and 602nd Northern League player to be acquired since 1993.

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Northern League Stories from June 26, 2007


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