SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

RiverDogs GM Lashes Out at Hickory

Published on May 1, 2003 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


(Charleston, SC) – With the RiverDogs off to their best start in recent history, General Manager Derek Sharrer is already scoreboard watching. But instead of seeing the RiverDogs (15-9) contending for a first-half title in the South Atlantic League, the Hickory Crawdads, winners of 21 of their first 26 games and last year's S.A.L. Champions, are poised to run away with the title.

"The Evil Empire is at it again," Sharrer said. "First they win it all last year, then they go ahead and re-stock their team with this type of talent. It just doesn't seem like everyone is on the same playing field."

The Crawdads, class-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates have won eight in a row and 16 of their last 18 games. They lead the 16-team league in batting average and ERA.

"Where's the parity?" Sharrer continued. "We've been cursed with a losing season for 13 of the past 14 years in Charleston. Suddenly, something goes right and what happens...there's Hickory again. Does anyone even know what a Crawdad is?"

Hickory General Manager David Haas responded to Sharrer's quotes. "As an avid Yankee hater, it hurts to be compared to the Yankees," Haas said.

Hickory moved from the Northern Division of the S.A.L to the Southern Division, home to the RiverDogs, prior to the 2003 season.

"Who approved that move?" Sharrer said after him and the other 15 General Managers in the league signed off on the division change. "If Darth Haas was still in the North we'd be in first place. Maybe next year I'll vote for contraction. I have a good candidate, too."

The RiverDogs will meet the Evil Empire for the first time beginning next Tuesday in a three-game series at L.P. Frans Stadium in Hickory, North Carolina. It will be the first of 13 meetings between the two Southern Division foes in 2003.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 1, 2003


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