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ApL Princeton WhistlePigs

Princeton Rays News

October 21, 2005 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Princeton WhistlePigs News Release


With the 2005 World Series beginning on Saturday, it certainly seems an appropriate time to send this October issue of "Raywatch," the FREE official e-mail newsletter of Princeton Devil Rays professional baseball. We hope you have been following all the major league postseason action as we already are counting the days until the beginning of the 2006 Appalachian League season and another great summer of family-oriented entertainment.

PRINCETON AT THE WORLD SERIES...AGAIN: For the third straight year, a former Princeton player will be playing in the World Series. Pitcher Brandon Backe of the Houston Astros (1998 P-Ray) has been a key contributor in the march to Houston's first-ever Fall Classic appearance. Previously, pitcher Chad Fox (1992 P-Red) of the 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins, and infielder Pokey Reese (1991 P-Red) of the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox, were the first two former Princeton players to participate in the World Series and both walked away a winner. Will Brandon, the first former Princeton Devil Ray to play in the series, now follow?

REMEMBERING BILL: It is with deep sadness that we report to you the death of former Appalachian League President Bill Halstead, who passed away at the age of 81 on October 15. Halstead, who resided in Bristol, VA, was President of the Appalachian League from 1982-1995 and was a driving force behind Princeton being added as a league member and awarded a franchise in 1988. He will be missed by the many friends he made during his frequent visits to Princeton during his tenure as league president.

PROGRAM NEWSLETTER RETURN NEXT YEAR: The "Raywatch" newsletter that was placed in every 2005 program/yearbook and featured new content with every series will return in 2006. The sponsor of the newsletter will once again be "The Bronze Look," a store devoted to the world of coins and coin collecting. We want to thank the "Bronze Look" again for this big assist and remind you that their store is currently relocating to 217 Mercer Street with a projected opening date of November 1.

"TOP PROSPECTS" FROM BASEBALL AMERICA: Several players with Princeton ties appeared in the most recent annual "Top Prospects" issue of Baseball America magazine issue date October 10-23, 2005). Despite spending a large portion of his year in the big leagues, managers in the AAA International League still voted Durham Bulls outfielder Jonny Gomes (2001 P-Ray) as the number eleven major league prospect in their league for 2005. As you will read later in this newsletter, he accelerated much quicker to a lofty spot at the top than they could have ever predicted. Infielder Reid Brignac (2004 P-Ray) was cited as being the number 17 prospect in the Midwest League in 2005, where he was a member of the class-A Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. Former Princeton pitchers from 2004 made a very high impact with New York-Penn League voters as Wade Davis (number three prospect) and Jacob McGee (number nine prospect) both finished in the league's top ten while wearing the colors of the Hudson Valley Renegades. Oh yes, and as for the Appalachian League, Princeton was represented by pitcher Matt Walker at number eleven, and outfielder John Matulia in the 17th position.

RELIEF IS SPELLED C-O-R-E-Y: Right handed relief pitcher Mark Corey (1995 Princeton Red) enjoyed another fine season working out of the bullpen for the Pittsburgh Pirates' AAA affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians, as he was named Indianapolis' "Relief Pitcher of the Year." He led the International League with 28 saves, as opponents batted only .243 against him.

TAKE A SEAT: Fans who are interested in purchasing box seats at Hunnicutt Field for the 2006 Appalachian League season are invited to contact the P-Rays' front office now to investigate seat locations. You may contact the team either by e-mail at raysball@sunlitsurf.com or by telephone at (304) 487-2000.

TAMPA BAY AWARDS FILE: Annually, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays designate a "Player of the Year" and "Pitcher of the Year" from each of their six farm teams. The 2005 winners from Princeton were outfielder Chris Cunningham and pitcher Mike Wlodarczyk. The pair received their awards in front of a home crowd at Tropicana Field prior to a Tampa Bay Devil Rays game in September. Also, all P-Ray fans are keeping their fingers crossed for a strong finish by Tampa Bay outfielder Jonny Gomes (2001 P-Ray) in the 2005 American League "Rookie of the Year" balloting. Not arriving with the big club until well after the season had started, Gomes made up ground quickly by smashing 21 homers and finishing among the American League's rookie leaders in many other offensive categories while also ringing up seven outfield assists and helping to spark the TB offense with his aggressive baserunning. Most of the major publications are predicting a top three finish in the balloting for Gomes, who also was named to Baseball America magazine's 2005 All-Rookie team, with the results to be announced in November. The previous high finish for a former Princeton player in Rookie of the Year balloting was a third place finish by outfielder Rocco Baldelli (2000 P-Ray) in 2003.

INTERN MOVEMENT: The P-Rays would like to offer a tip of the cap and wish good luck to Mike Zucconi, who was an intern here this past summer. Mike will be starting his new job Monday in the Sports Information Department of James Madison University in his hometown of Harrisonburg, VA. Best wishes also to Jessica Davis of Princeton, a May, 2005 graduate of West Virginia University and also a 2005 P-Ray intern, who is off to a nice start in her new job as a sportswriter for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

FALL BASEBALL...ARIZONA STYLE: Several former Princeton players are contributing to a hot start through 14 games by the Phoenix Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League. On the mound, pitcher Brian Stokes (1999 P-Ray) is sporting a 1-0 record in three appearances with seven strikeouts in 8.2 innings of work. Three members of the 2002 Princeton Devil Rays, first baseman Wes Bankston, outfielder Jason Pridie, and infielder Elliot Johnson, are hitting .375, .276, and .250 respectively for the Diamond Dogs.

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