Outfielder Gomes Returns for 2009 Season
Published on April 29, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET-The Joliet JackHammers offense just got a whole lot better with OF Joey Gomes signing a 2009 contract. Gomes, who hit .303 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI in 93 games in 2008, is the seventh returning player from last year's team to re-sign with the club. He joins RHP Aaron Trolia, RHP Drew Shetrone, LHP Brad Mumma, IF Wally Backman, Jr., IF Mike Garcia and 1B Freddie Thon. The JackHammers also inked 3B Andrew Pinckney and signed RHP Pat Mahomes to a 2009 contract after acquiring his rights via trade from the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association on March 30. The 2009 home season begins on Friday, May 15 at 7:05 p.m. against the Schaumburg Flyers at Silver Cross Field in Joliet's City Center.
"I am very happy to bring Joey back to Joliet," said JackHammers Manager Wally Backman. "He did some good things for us in our lineup last year and hopefully can improve his performance in 2009."
Gomes, an eighth round draft pick of Tampa Bay in 2002, is entering his fourth season in independent baseball. After starting his career that season with the Devils Rays organization at short-season A Hudson Valley where he won the New York-Penn. League home run crown (15), Gomes progressed to AA Montgomery in 2004. He logged time in the Diamondbacks organization at AA Mobile in 2006 before finishing the season with New Jersey of the independent Can.-Am League. He hit a career-high .320 in Newark of the Atlantic League in 2007 and originally signed with the JackHammers on March 19, 2008.
Mahomes is no secret to the Chicagoland area and to Cubs fans that remember him from the 2002 team. A 12-year veteran of Major League Baseball, Mahomes first reached the big leagues with Minnesota in 1992 and logged time with the Twins, Red Sox, Mets, Rangers, Cubs and Pirates. He first entered professional baseball in 1988 as an eighth round draft pick of Minnesota and pitched in AAA with the Blue Jays organization as recently as 2007 (Syracuse, International League).
Pinckney comes to Joliet after time spending time last year with Portland (AA, Boston) and New Hampshire (AA, Toronto) in the Eastern League. A 34th round pick of the Red Sox in 2004, Pinckney brings his 284 career RBI to Joliet to go along with his .277 career average.
The JackHammers currently have full season seats, mini-plan packages, various group outings, affordable marketing opportunities and individual game tickets available for the 2009 season. To invest, or for more information, please contact them TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), visit their website (www.jackhammerbaseball.com) or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.
Northern League Stories from April 29, 2009
- Outfielder Gomes Returns for 2009 Season - Joliet JackHammers
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