Roosters and Paints for the last time at McBride
August 28, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Richmond Roosters News Release
The Roosters final nine game home stand continues with the final appearance of long time Frontier League rival, the Chillicothe Paints. The only team in the Frontier League that has been in the league longer than the Richmond franchise (Chillicothe was an original team when the league was formed in 1993) will be in for a three game series. Don't miss your opportunity to come out and see your Richmond Roosters as the eleven year Frontier League history comes to an end in Richmond.
Sunday, August 28th - (GAME STARTS AT 4:35 PM, GATES OPEN 3:35 PM)
The final Palladium-Item Family Day of the season. Bring coupons from Sunday's edition of the newspaper to McBride Stadium to receive a discounted ticket rate. Starr Elementary School students will be recognized before the game for honor roll and perfect attendance.
Monday, August 29th - (GAME STARTS AT 6:35 PM, GATES OPEN 5:35 PM)
The season finale of Rowdy Factor. The remaining contestants will compete to determine the season champion and receive the grand prize. It is also Meijer Monday, fans with a Meijer card or receipt receive a discount at the ticket office.
Tuesday, August 30th - (GAME STARTS AT 6:35 PM, GATES OPEN 5:35 PM)
Chili Cook-Off Night. Fans can sample chili provided by local restaurants and individuals. Awards will be given to the "Fans Choice" and the Roosters "Players Choice".
LOCAL PLAYER KEVIN CARR MAKES HIS PROFESSIONAL DEBUT AT McBRIDE
Former Richmond High School and Earlham College Player Kevin Carr made his professional debut in a Richmond Roosters uniform during Saturday night's contest with the Washington Wild Things. He came in as a pinch hitter and remained in the game as the catcher.
Q&A with Former Richmond Rooster Aaron Sledd
Aaron Sledd played left field for the Roosters in the 1999, 2000, and 2001 seasons. He led the team in doubles and RBI in two of his three seasons with the club, which included the 2001 Frontier League Championship team. We caught up with Aaron during his Saturday night visit to McBride Stadium. Aaron now resides in Memphis, Tennessee.
When you heard that the Roosters were moving, what was your overall reaction? Were you surprised?
I was surprised a little bit, but kind of saw it coming just the way business and the way baseball works. They're going to come up and eat up these smaller market teams. I hate to see the club go because I have a lot of fond memories here but that's just part of the business end of baseball.
You were with the Roosters for three seasons, 1999 through 2001. Are they any specific memories that stick out during your career here?
There are plenty of great memories. I remember my introduction three games into the season when we got into a bench clearing brawl with River City and I'll always remember that. I have a lot of fond memories of homeruns hit here at McBride, big wins and just the players I played with and played against.
The 2001 team won a Frontier League championship, the first of back-to-back championships for the Roosters. Talk about that team.
It was an amazing team. I was disappointed I couldn't be a part of it in '02 I had to go on to do different things for myself, try to go to the Northern League and further my career. I remember Fran Riordan, Jon Tavares, Scott Marple, and Chris Mongiardo. I remember those guys very well. It was probably one of the best seasons I ever had offensively at the plate myself.
Now that the Frontier League has moved to bigger markets with teams in Washington, River City and Gateway, for example, is there something about the smaller markets such as Richmond and Chillicothe that bring out the best in Frontier League baseball?
That's what makes the Frontier League what it is. These smaller parks like here and Chillicothe and what used to be Johnstown. That kind of makes the Frontier League what it is. It is special.
Probable Starting Pitchers:
Roosters vs. Chillicothe
Sunday: LHP Matt Schweitzer (6-8, 4.07 ERA) vs. RHP Luke Palmer (6-5, 4.55 ERA)
Monday: RHP Dan Caldwell (1-5, 5.45 ERA) vs. RHP Ben Lovell (1-1, 5.24 ERA)
Tuesday: RHP Mike Cervera (1-2, 4.93 ERA) vs. RHP John Martinez (16-3, 2.95 ERA)
Looking Back At Roosters History (Part 2 of 3)
1999 - 2002
1999: The Roosters finished with a losing record for the first time ever with a record of 40-43. The Roosters offensive numbers suffered without Morgan Burkhardt, but Richmond managed to still finish third in the league in batting with a team average of .290. Pitching struggled, ranking ninth of ten teams. London defeated Chillicothe for the league title. Roosters designated hitter Jason Kinchen made post-season honors after hitting .357 with 78 RBI and 27 HR.
2000: Richmond finished with a losing record for the second consecutive year, 40-43. With and identical finish as the previous year, the Roosters were 7 1/2 games behind Johnstown. The Steal carried the best regular season record and won the championship.
2001: Under the direction of player/Manager Fran Riordan and assistant coach Chris Mongiardo, the Roosters won the 2001 Frontier League Championship. With a 49-35 regular season mark, only Chillicothe had a better record. The Roosters beat the Paints in a three game sweep in the championship series. Fran Riordan hit .299 with 74 RBI and 14 HR. Riordan was named the All-League first baseman with Steve Mitrovich as designated hitter. Mitrovich batted .304 with 65 RBI and 12 HR.
2002: Richmond managed to keep many of it's key players from the 2002 championship team and, in 2002, became the first Frontier League team to claim back-to-back titles. The Roosters finished 53-31, three games behind Washington. However, Richmond beat Washington three games to one in the Championship Series and clinched at McBride Stadium. Fran Riordan improved offensively to a .314 batting average and 81 RBI in route to the title. Outfielder Phil Willingham set the league's single season record with 131 hits and, along with Riordan, received post-season honors.
In our next edition of "Looking Back...."
Chris Mongiardo takes over for Fran Riordan as Roosters Manager and pitcher Matt Schweitzer puts his name in the record books!
Frontier League Stories from August 28, 2005
- âHawks Split Doubleheader on the Road - Rockford RiverHawks
- Four homers carry Bolts - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Wild Things make Frontier League history - Washington Wild Things
- Otters rally, but come up short - Evansville Otters
- Washington Wild Things To Host Governors - Washington Wild Things
- Roosters and Paints for the last time at McBride - Richmond Roosters
- Wild Things Sweep Roosters Again - Richmond Roosters
- Freedom Outpitch Paints - OSC Original by Andrew Kappes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
