Veteran Matos fills big vacancy at second
Published on May 18, 2006 under Northern League (NL)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
It didn't take long for Goldeyes manager Rick Forney to find a replacement for Eric Riggs and the player he found brings both Major League and Northern League experience.
Forney welcomed infielder Julius Matos, 31, to town today. Able to play all infield positions, he will start at second base, the spot he spent the majority of the 104 games he played in the Majors with San Diego in 2002 and Kansas City in 2003.
Matos played for two years in the Cleveland system before spending 1996 in Thunder Bay and 1997 in Sioux City. Picked up by San Diego, he made his way through the Padres system until reaching the big club in 2002.
In 76 games at San Diego, Matos batted .238 with two home runs and 19 runs batted in. A year later, he hit .263 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 28 games with he Royals.
Matos, who has a career fielding percentage of .970 (421/434) at second, including a .964 (215/223) clip in the Majors, replaces Eric Riggs. The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Riggs from Winnipeg on Tuesday and assigned him to their Pacific Coast (AAA) League club in Las Vegas.
FISH FOOD: The Goldeyes will have a couple of VIPs in attendance at Friday's home opener against Hal Lanier and the Joliet JackHammers. Winnipeg's Brittany Schussler and Shannon Rempel, two members of Canada's 2006 Winter Olympic Team, will take the mound and throw out ceremonial opening pitches.
Northern League Stories from May 18, 2006
- RedHawks drop opening game, 4-2, to Cracker-Cats - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- JackHammers team up with Brookfield Zoo - Joliet JackHammers
- Cats Open 2006 Season with a 4-2 Win - Edmonton Capitals
- RailCats double Vipers in opener - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- T-Bones Edge Flyers in Opener, 9-8 - Kansas City Monarchs
- T-Bones spoil Flyers' hopes of opening at home with a win - Schaumburg Flyers
- RedHawks set 2006 Opening Day roster - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- T-Bones Set Roster, Prepare for Opener - Kansas City Monarchs
- Veteran Matos fills big vacancy at second - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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