RailCats Welcome All-Star Rob Marconi Back for 2009
Published on February 25, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY, Ind. - Fleet-footed Northern League All-Star Rob Marconi will be patrolling center field at U. S. Steel Yard again this summer, signing a contract to remain with the Gary SouthShore RailCats in 2009, the team announced today.
Described as a Gold Glove caliber outfielder when originally signed by Manager Greg Tagert before the 2008 season, Marconi was as good as advertised in the field all year long, and also chipped in as part of a record-setting RailCats offense. A La Grange, Ill. native and star at Northern Illinois University, the 2009 season will be Marconi's sixth in professional baseball.
Marconi, 26, played in a team-high 91 games in his first year in Gary and batted .290, scoring a team-record 71 runs and driving in a career-high 56. The speedy Marconi also ranked second in the Northern League with seven triples, adding 20 doubles and eight home runs. Despite batting at or near the bottom of the order all season, Marconi's RBIs, slugging percentage (.463) and total bases (155) were among the best on the team.
Defensively, Marconi started 86 times in center field in the regular season - more than any other RailCats player at any position - and was on the field for all eight playoff games. Marconi was charged with only one error in 2008 and his .996 fielding percentage was easily tops in the Northern League.
Originally selected in the 22nd round of the 2004 Player Entry Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, Marconi spent three seasons in the Baltimore organization where he was exclusively a second or third baseman. Marconi's best season came in 2005, when he batted .302 with Aberdeen (A) in 06 games.
Marconi began his transition into an outfielder in 2006 when he signed with the Schaumburg Flyers late in the season and spent his first full-time year in the outfield in 2007. That season, Marconi helped guide Windy City to a Frontier League Championship under former RailCats Hitting Coach Andy Haines, batting .263 with nine home runs and 24 stolen bases. Marconi was dealt to the RailCats along with John McCarthy and Billy Phillips following the 2007 season.
Marconi played four seasons at Northern Illinois, leaving school as the program's All-Time leader in career home runs (35), RBIs (171) and runs scored (178). Today, Marconi still ranks in the top ten in school history in 10 offensive categories.
Marconi is the eighth player to sign a 2009 RailCats contract, joining returning infielders Jay Pecci, Eric McNamee and Mike Rohde, and returning pitchers Brian Halford and Garret Holleran. The RailCats have also signed infielders Paul Bartolucci and Isaac Omura, and expect to have at least 28 players in camp when Spring Training begins May 1.
The RailCats open the 2009 season at home Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. against the Joliet JackHammers. Season tickets, group outings, mini-plans and flex tickets are now on sale by calling the RailCats at 219.882.2255. Don't miss your chance to experience the RailCats Tradition of Excellence in 2009 at U. S. Steel Yard.
Northern League Stories from February 25, 2009
- Northern League Transactions - NL
- RailCats Sign Right-Hander Zach Groh to 2009 Contract - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- RailCats Welcome All-Star Rob Marconi Back for 2009 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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