Zavada becomes first Minor in Major Leagues
May 12, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
MARION, Ill. - Left-handed pitcher Clay Zavada has become the first Southern Illinois Miner to join a Major League roster. The Arizona Diamondbacks called up Zavada from their double-A affiliate on Tuesday.
Zavada, 24, began the 2008 season with the Miners and went 2-1 with four saves and a 1.72 ERA in 12 appearances before his contract was sold to the Diamondbacks organization on June 18. After posting a 0.51 ERA the rest of the way with the Diamondbacks single-A South Bend Silver Hawks, he was added to the team's 40-man roster and invited to Major League spring training.
"We could not possibly be happier for Clay," Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. "He worked so hard and overcame great adversity. He is not only an extraordinary talent but he also has great character to match, and we hope this is only the beginning of a great career for him."
In nine games this season in double-A, Zavada is 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 14.1 innings. He originally signed with the Diamondbacks in 2006 but missed the 2007 season to tend to his family's farm following the death of his father. The SIU Edwardsville grad was ready to quit baseball but gave it one last chance and signed with the Miners. He is the 19th former Frontier League player to make it to the Major Leagues.
"To be getting ready for our third season and already have one of our players in the Majors is pretty exciting," Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. "After all he's gone through, we're all proud of him. He's a great player to represent this organization."
Wednesday, the Miners will host their first home preseason game of the season as they take on the Gateway Grizzlies. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
The Miners will begin the 2009 season in Evansville on Friday, May 22. The home opener is scheduled for Friday, May 29 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest news and updates, visit
www.southernillinoisminers.com.
Frontier League Stories from May 12, 2009
- Rascals fall in exhibition game at Kansas City - River City Rascals
- RiverHawks split exhibition doubleheader - Rockford RiverHawks
- Zavada becomes first Minor in Major Leagues - Southern Illinois Miners
- Freedom Host First Game on New Turf Sunday - Florence Y'alls
- Grizzles Win Exhibition Game - Gateway Grizzlies
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