Ryan-Sanders Baseball Eyes Two Championships
September 11, 2006 - Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
ROUND ROCK - For the first time in its brief seven-year history, the Ryan-Sanders Baseball Group, led by Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Reid Ryan and Houston businessman Don Sanders, has placed each of its minor league affiliates in the championship round of their respective playoffs.
The Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks, formerly of Round Rock, swept three games from Midland to advance to the Texas League championship where they will face Wichita in a best-of-five series beginning tonight in Wichita, Kans. The Triple-A Round Rock Express used an 8-0 win over Nashville in Game 5 of its series to advance to its first-ever Pacific Coast League Championship against Tucson. That series kicks off Tuesday in Tucson, Ariz. before returning to Round Rock on Friday, Sept. 15.
"It's an amazing testament to all that the Houston Astros strive for," Reid Ryan said of the two teams' major league affiliate. "Houston is committed to success and that carries over for us, as do the great fans of the Round Rock/Austin area and Corpus Christi.
"To be in a position to win two championships at once is something I never expected would happen with injuries and call ups. A dual championship is something that you get to experience maybe once in a lifetime."
Nolan Ryan, a managing partner of Ryan-Sanders, was 22-years-old when he won his first and only World Series Championship with the 1969 New York Mets. The eight-time All-Star made four more post-season appearances, but called this week's opportunity "something truly special."
Added Ryan: "I spent 27 years playing and know what it's like to be involved in the playoffs. But to have to two teams, both with good shots at championships, that's something you don't expect to ever happen."
In just its second year at the Triple-A level, Round Rock posted 85 wins. Led by hitters like Luke Scott, Cody Ransom and Brooks Conrad and pitchers like Jason Hirsh, Chris Sampson and Travis Driskill, the Express became the first Pacific Coast League team to clinch a playoff berth with a 4-3 win over Albuquerque on Aug. 24.
"For us to clinch at home in front of our fans was great," said Express president Jay Miller. "To know now that we can win a championship at home and the Hooks can do the same, that's just amazing."
Corpus Christi, which sent a Texas-League best nine players and four coaches to the league's all-star game, won 41 games in its first-half and finished the season with 76 wins.
"Having been a part of both franchises, it's great to see Round Rock back in a championship series again," said Hooks president J.J. Gottsch, who spent five years with Round Rock. "These are exciting days for Express fans. It's just as exciting and memorable for the fans of Corpus Christi as we're in the Texas League Championship Series for the first time."
Round Rock Express Pacific Coast League Championship Schedule
Sept. 12 @ Tucson 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 @ Tucson 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 OFF
Sept. 15 in Round Rock 7:05 p.m. Friday Night Fireworks, Rally Towels
*Sept. 16 in Round Rock 7:05 p.m. Mystery Promotional Giveaways
*Sept. 17 in Round Rock 6:05 p.m.
Corpus Christi Hooks Texas League Championship Schedule
Sept. 11 @ Wichita 7:05 p.m.
Sept. 12 @ Wichita 7:05 p.m.
Sept. 13 OFF
Sept. 14 in Corpus Christi 7:05 p.m. Rally Towels
*Sept. 15 in Corpus Christi 7:05 p.m.
*Sept. 16 in Corpus Christi 7:05 p.m.
*if necessary
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Texas League Stories from September 11, 2006
- Hooks rout Wichita in game one - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Ryan-Sanders Baseball Eyes Two Championships - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Hooks, Wranglers set for game one of TLCS in Wichita - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Texas League update - TL1
- Texas League Championship Starts Tonight in Wichita - Wichita Wranglers
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