Three Join All-Diamond Team

Published on January 2, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Oakland County Cruisers News Release


O'Fallon, MO - Three names have joined the River City Rascals All-Diamond Team since the calendar changed from reading 2007 to 2008.

Joe Thatcher, Mike Benacka and Zack Riera were voted on by Rascals fans to achieve this honor and have been added to the list.

Thatcher is the headliner of the three. The former Rascals' standout relief pitcher spent time during the 2004 and 2005 seasons with River City before moving on and eventually landing in San Diego, where he made his major league debut with the Padres this past season.

"He was lights out since the day he came to River City," recalled former teammate and current Rascals' pitching coach Steve Brook. "He's a lefty with a lot of movement on his pitches, that's how he got guys out in the Frontier League and that's how he'll get guys out at the Major League level as well. He just knows how to pitch."

Thatcher will represent the Rascals as the All-Diamond relief pitcher and is the second former player to appear in a Major League uniform. Josh Kinney of the St. Louis Cardinals was the first to do it in 2006.

Benacka needed only one season to secure himself the position of All-Diamond closer. The Chicago, Illinois native started the 2007 season in the rotation, but was then moved to closer after three starts, and dominated from then on. The fire-baller struck out an amazing 60 batters in only 41.1 innings. His greatest success came against the Evansville Otters as the right-hander struck out 22 batters in 10.1 innings, and posted five of his single season Rascals' record of 20 saves.

"If you look at our team for next season, Mike's the guy that sticks out as having the best chance of moving up to the affiliated level," Brook said. "He's got just nasty stuff and he has more that just one out pitch."

The last position to be filled was the first non-pitching opening, as the former backstop, Riera, was selected to the team in one of the closest ballots yet, making the team in the last few hours over Justin Annin.

Riera spent the course of three seasons in a Rascals' uniform from 2003 to 2005. During that time he hit .307 in 599 at-bats, clubbed 19 home runs and drove in 101 RBI. Riera's career home run and RBI totals are a Rascal's franchise best for a catcher.

To cast your vote for the Rascals' All-Diamond team visit RiverCityRascals.com now through February 10. Each week a new position will become available to vote on, and all that information is included on the Rascals website as well.

To be sure not to miss any of the Rascals' historical tenth anniversary in O'Fallon, season tickets, mini plans and group tickets are available now by calling 636-240-BATS.

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