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ApL Princeton WhistlePigs

Princeton Rays News

February 17, 2009 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Princeton WhistlePigs News Release


Not even the heavy snowfall, icy roads, and frigid temperatures could keep a large turnout of fans away from the festivities on February 5 that hailed the return of Jared Sandberg to Princeton in his new role as manager of the 2009 Princeton Rays. Sandberg, who played for the 1997 P-Rays as a power hitting third baseman and also named Most Valuable Player of the Appalachian League for that season, had a full day of meetings with both the media and fans at Schell Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church of Princeton.

He arrived the afternoon before from his home in Olympia, WA in a swirling snowstorm at Charleston's Yeager Airport and then journeyed with P-Rays' General Manager Jim Holland to Princeton. Upon his arrival here, he immediately toured the facilities at the Princeton Health and Fitness Center as well as visiting Hunnicutt Field to view the recently completed indoor hitting building, along with the "new" rebuilt coaching offices and locker rooms at Hunnicutt Field. None of these things were yet in operation when Sandberg played here in 1997.

The next day, following a February 5 morning breakfast with Appalachian League President Lee Landers, the pair then joined with Holland, local directors of Princeton Baseball Association, Inc (the local corporate operators of the team) and members of the region's media for lunch and baseball talk as part of the P-Rays' 7th annual "Media Appreciation Luncheon."

As he did later that evening at the public reception, Princeton's 18th-year General Manager Jim Holland led off the luncheon by reaffirming that there would be no increase in any ticket prices for the P-Rays in 2009. He also shared some very encouraging information with the crowd about the status of the operation's advertising and marketing sales.

"As of this time, we are running at 100 percent on our renewals of our advertisers for 2009. That says to me that people believe in what we are doing here and that we continue to be a very affordable advertising vehicle for them to put their message before our fans. These kind of persisting figures only add even more stability to our franchise," revealed Holland.

Sandberg then took center stage by donning the "new look" Princeton Rays uniform for the first time and telling the reporters how much this opportunity means to him.

"It always feels good to put on a baseball uniform, even when there is snow on the ground. I have taken pride in putting on a pro baseball uniform for 13 years now and what better way to start my managerial career than to come back to Princeton," said Sandberg. He also acknowledged his 1997 manager at Princeton, Charlie Montoyo, as being an influence toward the way he will go about his new responsibilities on the diamond.

The mid-day session concluded with numerous media interviews pairing Sandberg with the various luncheon attendees.

The evening hours of 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. saw, despite the challenging elements outside, a crowd of just over 100 people, the majority dressed in Rays' gear, greet Sandberg as part of a public reception for P-Rays fans and followers. Door prizes were awarded and the team's 2009 schedule was distributed. The feeling of anticipation for the upcoming season surged through the room as more chairs had to continually be added to accomodate the ever-growing number of arriving attendees. There was a festive feeling in the air as Sandberg roamed about the room swapping memories with fans that he was acquainted with in 1997. Also, he shared "hellos" and handshakes with the many new followers who have adopted the P-Rays as their favorite team since Jared last played here.

A video also was shown to the crowd of one of Sandberg's most shining moments of his big league career: hitting two homers in the same inning on June 11, 2002 at Tropicana Field versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the first time that feat happened in Tampa Bay's franchise history and only the 39th time that it had been accomplished in the history of major league baseball.

"The atmsophere in the room tonight rivaled anything we've ever done in the offseason for a fan gathering. Jared Sandberg certainly got reacquainted with the great quality of fans we have here and what Princeton Rays baseball is all about. We all got each other fired up even more for 2009," commented Holland immediately following the evening portion of the festivities.

Sandberg flew home early the following morning (February 6)but left behind a whole legion of fans to collectively count down the days until the long-awaited 2009 Appalachian League opener for the P-Rays on June 23 versus the Burlington Royals at Hunnicutt Field.

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Appalachian League Stories from February 17, 2009


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