Ravens Clinch Playoff Spot
August 24, 2003 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Haven Ravens News Release
With a 15-3 victory over the Norwich Navigators today, the New Haven Ravens clinched a spot in the Eastern League playoffs. The Ravens have now qualified for the playoffs for the past two seasons and five times in their ten-year history. They are currently in first place in the Northern Division.
The top two teams in each division make the playoffs and face each other in a best-of-five series starting September 3. The first place team hosts games one, two and five (if necessary). The winner of the Northern Division Championship Series then plays the winner of the Southern Division Championship Series for the Eastern League Championship. That series, also a best of five, starts September 9. The Northern Division Champion hosts games one and two.
Rios Sets Record
New Haven Ravens outfielder Alexis Rios broke the team record for hits in a season with his 167th, a solo homerun in the Ravens' 8-3 victory over the Norwich Navigators Saturday. The historic blast, Rios' second in as many games, came in the fifth inning off of Norwich starter Vance Cozier. Rios also had an RBI single in the first inning to tie the record, set last season by first baseman John Gall.
Rios, 22, was named by Baseball America as the "Best Batting Prospect" and "Most Exciting Player" in the Eastern League and was also selected to the Northern Division team for the 2003 Eastern League All-Star Game and the World Team for the 2003 Futures Game. Earlier this week he was named to the league's post-season All-Star team along with teammate catcher Guillermo Quiroz.
Your Chance to Be On Television!
The New Haven Ravens and their fans will once again be a part of a major network television show, as historic Yale Field is the site for The Learning Channel's "Help Wanted" on Tuesday, August 26. Scenes for the new reality TV show will be shot during the Ravens' doubleheader with the Boston Red Sox affiliate Portland Sea Dogs that night. Gates open at 4:05 for the 5:05 start, and tickets are still available.
The Ravens have been on television several times in the past year. Last season, the presence of outfielder So Taguchi attracted several Japanese television stations. A Japanese production company also came out this season to talk to Ravens intern Yuki Matsumoto and Sam Rubin, author of the book "Baseball in New Haven." Former Ravens Director of Promotions Alan Stein was featured on Fox News' "The Pulse," and ABC Family shot an episode of "Switched" in which a fan from far away got the chance to experience what a Ravens game was like.
Ravens Part of Panel Discussion on New Haven's Baseball Future
The New Haven Ravens will be part of a panel discussion on the past, present and future of baseball in Southern Connecticut slated for the Barnes & Noble in North Haven on Monday, August 25 at 7:00 PM.
Ravens General Manager Adam Schierholz is scheduled to appear along with staff member Sam Rubin, author of the book Baseball in New Haven. The panel will also include representatives from Bridgeport, including Michael Bielawa, the author of Bridgeport Baseball. Bluefish General Manager Charlie Dowd is scheduled to appear as well. Both authors will also be available for a book signing after the panel discussion. They will be joined by Connecticut native Will Anderson, author of The Lost New England Nine: The Best of New England's Forgotten Ballplayers.
The event is designed to give local baseball fans a chance to ask questions about the state of the game in this area, a particularly important topic as the Ravens wrap up their final season in New Haven. The franchise is slated to move to Manchester, New Hampshire next year.
Interestingly, the last two Eastern League franchises in this area both went out as champions, with the West Haven Yankees winning in 1979 prior to relocating to Nashville, Tennessee and the West Haven A's winning in 1982 prior to relocating to Albany, New York.
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Eastern League Stories from August 24, 2003
- Ravens Clinch Playoff Spot - New Haven Ravens
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