Rascals Continuing To Build "mo"mentum

Published on January 9, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Oakland County Cruisers News Release


O'Fallon, MO - The formation of the 2008 River City Rascals continued to take shape on Wednesday, as they learned they will be welcoming back their second all-star from the 2007 Frontier League season.

Bobby Mosby, the 6'3, 270 pound first basemen has been traded back to the River City Rascals from the Joliet JackHammers of the Northern League. The East St. Louis, Illinois native will join former teammate Phil Laurent as the two all-stars that have found their way back to T.R. Hughes Ballpark from a season ago.

"Obviously getting Bobby back is huge for us," Rascals' Manager Toby Rumfield said. "He'll hit in the middle of a lineup that I really feel good about with him and Phil back in the mix."

Mosby, better known as Big Mo, played 62 games as a Rascal before being traded to the JackHammers. The right-handers' 19 home runs last season tied a franchise single season record shared by Mike Conner (2003) and Mike Madrid (2004).

Rascals' President and General Manager Steve Malliet looks for even bigger things this season.

"Big Mo and Phil are two of the premier power hitters in Independent baseball," Malliet said. "I think they're both going to hit 20 plus home runs next season. I also think [Jeff] Miller and [Andy] Bettis can deliver the same type of production. There's not a better middle of the lineup than what Toby's going to have next season."

"We're going to make some noise next year that's for sure," said Mosby. "I really enjoyed playing in front of the Rascals fans and I'm looking forward to coming back home and our team putting up numbers next season."

Big Mo and Laurent combined for 30 home runs and 93 RBI through 57 games last season. Miller joined the Rascals the day after Laurent was signed by the San Diego Padres and went on to hit .307 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in only 38 games; and Bettis joined the team for the last 67 games of the season and hit .274 with nine home runs and 38 RBI, both as rookies.

With the added bats of Mosby and Laurent, Malliet and Rumfield's attention now turns to pitching.

"I like how our lineup looks right now," Malliet continued. "But I think we need another couple of quality starters. I'm impressed with the job Jeff Bittiger and Toby are doing to put together a quality team for next year."

Bittiger was hired on as the Director of Player Procurement in September.

Currently the Rascals rotation consists of three right handers in Josh Regits, whom the Rascals received in the Mosby trade from a season ago, Albert Ayala and Jonathan Miller. Chris Clem, who started 18 games in 2007, is being considered as an option to move to the bullpen.

"I think Chris is an overpowering type of pitcher who can put up some quality innings for us out of the pen," Rumfield said. "With his fastball he can do some great things coming in and going through a lineup in the middle innings."

Clem had one appearance as a relief pitcher which came against the Southern Illinois Miners on June 9. In that appearance the right-hander struck out 8 in 4.2 innings.

The Rascals back end of the bullpen should not be a problem with Mike Benacka returning from a 20 save season.

"We're not done yet," Rumfield said when talking about his roster. "We're going to add a veteran shortstop which will hopefully be a guy out of affiliated spring training and a couple of starters. With this being my second year in the league I now know what its going to take to bring a Frontier League championship home to the people of River City."

The Rascals will send a future player to the JackHammers to complete the current Mosby trade.

The Rascals will be celebrating their tenth anniversary this summer and Rumfield and the Rascals will look to bring River City its first league championship. To be apart of the Rascals' diamond season, call the box office at 636-240-BATS. Season tickets, mini-plans and group tickets are now on sale.

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Frontier League Stories from January 9, 2008


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