Riversharks re-sign batting champion Abreu
Published on April 2, 2007 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Camden Riversharks News Release
Camden, NJ- The Camden Riversharks announced today that 2006 Atlantic League batting champion Denny Abreu, along with pitchers Chris Fussell and Greg Powell will return to Camden for the 2007 season. In addition, shortstop Cristian Berroa will make his Riversharks debut this season. Also, Riversharks fans will no longer face parking dilemmas during the busy Camden Waterfront summer, starting this May.
OF Abreu, the brother of NY Yankees outfielder Bobby Abreu, will return to the Riversharks lineup after an impressive 2006 campaign, which saw him win the AL batting title with a .323 average. Abreu had 70 runs scored on the season, including 15 home runs. He also had 56 RBI on 128 hits. Before joining Camden in 2006, Abreu was signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Chicago Cubs in 1994, and spent time in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
RHP Fussell is entering his second season with the team. In 2006, Fussell led the Atlantic League in games finished (53), games saved (23) and was third in games pitched (56). Fussell was originally selected in the ninth round by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1994 draft and was called up to the majors in 1998. He was then traded to the Kansas City Royals in 1999, where he went 10-3 with Omaha (AAA) before being called up again. He started off the 2000 season in the majors, going 5-3. The former starter also spent time with Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates before joining the Riversharks as their closer.
RHP Powell is entering his third season with the team. The Holland, PA native and Temple University graduate was originally signed in 2001 by independent River City of the Frontier league, where he started eight games before having his contract purchased by the Houston Astros. Powell made his way up to New Orleans (AAA) in 2004. In his first season with Camden in 2005, Powell went 16-7, which led the league in wins. He was also first in shutouts (2) and complete games (4).
SS Cristian Berroa was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Diego Padres in 1996. He was an All-Star in the Arizona League in 1998. He has also spent time in the Colorado Rockies, former Montreal Expos and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations. This will be his first season with the team.
In other news, Camden Waterfront events will no longer conflict with Riversharks game parking, it was learned last week. Sharks' fans attending games will be able to utilize all Rutgers-Camden parking lots, which are across and perpendicular from the stadium, throughout the season, regardless of concerts, events, etc. taking place on the Waterfront. Parking costs will be $3.50 this season and fans will be able to redeem their parking receipt at either the Riversharks box office for $3.50 off a future game ticket or in the team store for $3.50 off total merchandise purchases of $35.00 or more. This special offer will run through the month of May.
"The addition of 2,500 spots to the parking inventory will greatly reduce the dilemmas that have been faced in the past by the Riversharks and the other Camden Waterfront attractions," said Anthony Perno, Vice President of Cooper's Ferry.
"We have been working hard for a resolution over the past several years and are excited to accommodate events at the Waterfront."
The Riversharks home opener is slated for Tuesday, May 8th, as the team takes on the York Revolution at 7:05pm. Individual tickets go on sale Saturday, April 7th at 10am during the annual Free Family Fan Fest celebrations at Campbell's Field. For more information, please call 1-866-SHARKS-9 or log onto www.riversharks.com.
Atlantic League Stories from April 2, 2007
- DownTown Yorkie introduced as Revolution mascot - York Revolution
- Riversharks re-sign batting champion Abreu - Camden Riversharks
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