Twins Ink INF Mark Grudzielanek to New Britain Contract

Published on July 31, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The New Britain Rock Cats announced today that they have added veteran Major League Infielder Mark Grudzielanek to their active roster. The 39-year-old Milwaukee, WI native has been signed to a Minor League contract by the Rock Cats' parent club - the Minnesota Twins - and assigned to New Britain.

The 14-year Major League veteran was originally drafted by Montreal in 1991 and, five years later, made his MLB debut with the Expos. The 6'1"/190-pound Grudzielanek spent portions of four seasons in Montreal (1995-1998) before moving on, via trade, to Los Angeles where he performed for the Dodgers for the next four-plus seasons (1998-2002). In 1996, the rangy Infielder hit .306 in 153 games in Montreal; in 1999, he batted .326 over 123 contests for the Dodgers.

The capable right-handed hitter out of Trinidad State (Colorado) was traded to the Chicago Cubs late in 2002 and promptly batted .314 and .307 for the Cubs over the 2003 and 2004 campaigns. Granted free agency in October of '04, the West Palm Beach, FL resident joined the St. Louis Cardinals and hit .294 in 137 games in 2005.

In 2006, the career .290 hitter (2,010 Hits in 6,942 At-Bats) jumped to the American League when he signed with the Kansas City Royals. The steady 2B remained with the Royals for three full seasons (2006-2008) and batted .297, .302, and .299, respectively. In the course of his fourteen years of MLB service, Mark James Grudzielanek has appeared in 1,772 games and collected 391 Doubles, 90 Home Runs, and 629 RBI.

He is expected to be in a New Britain uniform tonight when the Rock Cats host the Bowie Baysox at 7:05 PM at New Britain Stadium.

In a simultaneous move, the Rock Cats have placed RHP Mike McCardell on the 7-Day Disabled List with a strained lower back.

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