St. George Roadrunners Sign ex-Met Lino Urdaneta
May 5, 2008 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
St. George RoadRunners News Release
(St. George, UT. May 5, 2008) The St. George Roadrunners continue to mine a Venezuelan motherlode of baseball talent as they sign RHP Lino Urdaneta for the upcoming season. The relief ace, who spent parts of two seasons with the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers in the major leagues, joins fellow major league experienced countrymen C Wiki Gonzalez and SS Liu Rodriguez as members of skipper Cory Snyder's 2008 squad.
"Lino is an outstanding relief pitcher who was in the major leagues with the Mets as recently as last year," said St. George Manager Cory Snyder. "To have his experience, veteran leadership, and skill as part of the Roadrunners this year will be a treat for our fans and his teammates."
Urdaneta, 28, was signed out of Venezuela as an 18 year old by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1997. He quickly rose through their farm system, including being named Florida State League All-Star reliever when he saved 32 games for the Dodger's High-A team in Vero Beach. Detroit snatched him away in the 2003 Rule V draft and he made his big league debut with the Tigers in 2004 late in the season. In his one game that year with Detroit he gave up six runs without recording an out and had the rare major league career E.R.A. of infinity for the next three years until he returned to the big leagues. He was in the Ny Mets organization in 2005 and after two fine minor league seasons he was brought up to the big league club at the end of 2007 replacing Chan Ho Park on the roster and also shedding his nickname of "Mr. Inifinty."
Urdaneta is the fourth player with major league experience to sign with the Roadrunners for this season. He joins RHP Mark Woodyard (Tigers), C Wiki Gonsalez (Padres), and SS Liu Rodrigquz (White Sox) on the St. George roster.
For more information on the St. George Roadrunners or to purchase tickets, you can contact the team at www.stgeorgeroadrunners.com or call 435-673-5333.
• Discuss this story on the Golden Baseball League message board...
Golden Baseball League Stories from May 5, 2008
- Silver Sox Sign Colorado AAA Starter and Local Reno Star Marc Kaiser - Reno Silver Sox
- St. George Roadrunners Sign ex-Met Lino Urdaneta - St. George RoadRunners
- Outlaws Single Game Tickets Go On Sale Saturday - Chico Outlaws
- Safeway Extends Sponsorship of Golden Baseball League - GBL
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.
