Spinners to Retire Westmoreland's No. 25
June 6, 2014 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Lowell Spinners News Release
LOWELL, MASS. - The Lowell Spinners, Class A affiliate of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, announced they will honor 2009 alumnus Ryan Westmoreland with "Ryan Westmoreland Day," retiring his No. 25 in a special ceremony June 25 at LeLacheur Park.
Westmoreland, a Portsmouth, RI native, starred for the Spinners 2009 Stedler Division Champion team. As a 19-year-old, Westmoreland was a New York-Penn League All-Star and was named the best prospect in the league and in the Red Sox organization by Baseball America, ranking 21st in the game following the season.
It was following his standout season as he prepared for his second season that Westmoreland's career was derailed by a cavernous malformation on his brain, requiring multiple surgeries that despite his valiant rehab efforts led to retirement from the game in March of 2013.
"Ryan was such a transcendent talent with the Spinners and a phenomenal individual both on and off the field," said Spinners President and General Manager Tim Bawmann. "He holds a special place in our hearts and those of Spinners fans. We have no doubt had fate not intervened that Ryan would be patrolling a Major League outfield at an All-Star level."
The announcement to retire Westmoreland's No. 25 was originally made at the team's Hot Stove event in January, a surprise to Westmoreland and his family, and the team has worked to finalize the details of the night in the months since.
"As the first number to be retired by the Spinners, this is a truly special occasion," said Bawmann. "There is absolutely no one more deserving than Ryan and he truly is an inspiration to all. We are thrilled to celebrate Ryan's accomplishments, both on and off the field, his perseverance and his heart."
The team is planning a special pre-game ceremony and will host a pre-game press conference with Westmoreland prior to the game. The first 1,000 fans will receive special "Westmoreland 25" pennants to commemorate the event as the Spinners take on the Tri-City ValleyCats, a Houston Astros affiliate.
Limited tickets for this game and all 2014 Spinners games remain available at www.LowellSpinners.com or by phone at (978) 459-2255. The Spinners begin their 2014 season Friday, June 13 when they take on the Vermont Lake Monsters.
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