Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Jimmy Rollins

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Over the month, we will highlight some of the best Black baseball players to ever suit up for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Jimmy Rollins

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Jimmy Rollins in the second round of the 1996 MLB Draft from Encinal High School in Alameda, California. Before establishing himself as a Major League All-Star, Most Valuable Player and World Series Champion, he made the steady climb through the minors and reached Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in his fourth professional year.

Rollins played four games for the Red Barons in 1999 in his first call-up. He returned in 2000 for 133 games before making his big-league debut on September 17. “J-Roll” hit .274 during his last season in Triple-A with 12 home runs and 69 runs batted in, helping pace the Red Barons to an 85-win campaign and a trip to the International League postseason.

Rollins played 2,275 games in the Majors, spanning 17 seasons, and closed with a career .264 average, 231 home runs and 936 runs batted in. He was a Silver Slugger during his 2007 National League MVP season, claimed four Gold Gloves over his career and was a three-time All-Star.

In 2019, Rollins was tabbed for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s All-Time Team as part of their 30th Anniversary Season celebration.

Read the rest of the series:

Part One: Celebrating Marlon Anderson

Part Two: Celebrating Ryan Howard

Part Three: Celebrating Aaron Judge

Part Four: Celebrating Wendell Magee

In addition to the five players profiled this month, many other players merited consideration for their work on and off the field or in the community, including Tony Barron, Kim Batiste, Bobby Estalella, 2009 IL Rookie of the Year Austin Jackson, Kevin Jordan, IL Hall-of-Famer Billy McMillon, DJ Mitchell and Mason Williams.

Storm Chasers to host daily open interviews for gameday positions 

 

PAPILLION, Neb. – The Storm Chasers are hosting daily open interviews at Werner Park for gameday employee positions for the 2022 season from Monday, February 28-Friday, March 4 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. There will be an additional opportunity to interview at Werner Park on Saturday, March 5 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

These interview opportunities are in addition to the organization’s Walk-In Wednesday opportunity, where prospective gameday employees can arrive at Werner Park and interview for a gameday position each Wednesday from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. between January 26-March 30.

For inquiries, prospective gameday employees can contact Human Resource Manager Aniya Tate by email at [email protected] or by phone at (402) 738-2187.

Gameday positions available for application include, but are not limited to: Amusements, Bat Boy/Girl, Fan Services, Game Operations, Grounds Crew, Mascots, On-Field Host, Parking Lot Attendant, Promotions Team, Public Address Announcer, Storm Front Team Store, Ticket Seller, Ticket Taker, Usher, and Video Production Team. Those interested can find more information and apply online here. The Storm Chasers are also seeking applicants for the Ballpark Security Team, a new addition to the Werner Park stadium staff for 2022.

Gameday Internship positions are also available for college students interested in exploring a career in the sports industry. Storm Chasers interns have the opportunity to work in every aspect of gameday and event operations at Werner Park, allowing interns to learn as much about the business as possible, gain valuable experience, and discover their own passions and goals. Those interested in an internship opportunity can contact Aniya Tate for more information and submit an application here.

The Omaha Storm Chasers are scheduled to begin the 2022 season on April 5 at Indianapolis before welcoming fans to Werner Park for the home opener on April 12 vs. Louisville. The full 2022 schedule can be found here and single-game tickets are now available here. For more tickets and more information, please visit omahastormchasers.com, call the Werner Park Ticket office at (402) 738-5100, and follow the team on social media. You can follow the team on Twitter @omastormchasers, on Instagram @omahastormchasers, and “like” the team on Facebook at facebook.com/omahastormchasers.

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Jumbo Shrimp ballpark job fairs set for March 3, 12 & 16

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are building their team for another season of Affordable Family Fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. The club will hold three job fairs for 2022 game day positions from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 12 and 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16 at the ballpark.

Interested applicants need only attend one of the job fairs, and will be asked to complete an employee application form. Applicants may bring a completed application to the job fair. All applicants should be prepared to interview at the job fairs and are encouraged to bring a resume and dress appropriately. Potential employees are subject to a background check and drug test.

Parking for the job fairs will be in Lot P and applicants may enter through the main stadium gates at the corner of A Philip Randolph Blvd. and E. Adams St.

Open positions are for seasonal employment, including but not limited to 75 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball home games, additional stadium events and training. The ideal candidate is outgoing, enjoys being part of a team atmosphere and is ready to have FUN while providing top-notch customer service.

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are seeking candidates for the following positions:

· GAME DAY TICKET SELLER/TICKET TAKER: One of the first points of guest interaction, the game day ticket seller/ticket taker will staff a ticket window at the box office approximately one hour before the gates open for that night’s game and work until the majority of the crowd has been served, approximately an hour after the game begins. 121 Financial Ballpark utilizes the Glitnir ticketing system, and the game day ticket seller will work in an efficient manner to meet fans’ needs for ticket purchases, exchanges and upgrades at the ticket window. Ticket takers will be responsible for greeting guests at the gate and scanning them into the ballpark.

· KIDS ZONE ATTENDANT: The kids zone attendant will staff one of the multiple children’s attractions at 121 Financial Ballpark. From the speed pitch to the giant inflatables and carnival-style games, the attendant is responsible for overseeing the safety of those in the area, as well as ensuring everyone is having FUN. Arrival time would be approximately one hour before gates open and end time would be dependent on crowd size.

· BIRTHDAY PARTY HOST: The birthday party host will assist in all day-of executions of our birthday party packages at the ballpark. From working with our full-time staff members, to helping prepare the birthday area prior to guest arrival, to greeting and hosting the guests at the ballpark, to cleaning up once the party concludes, the ideal candidate will have an outgoing and upbeat personality with attention to detail and a priority on having FUN at the ballpark a must. The host will also have the opportunity to work as a Kids Zone Attendant.

· MERCHANDISE STORE EMPLOYEE: From stocking and organizing the store prior to the gates opening on game day to assisting customers with their merchandise purchases, the merchandise store employee will provide top-notch customer service while maintaining organization and attention to detail. Additionally, the merchandise employee may also be operating satellite merchandise kiosks, as well as hawking smaller items in the stands. Arrival time would be approximately a half-hour before gates open, and end time would be dependent on crowd size but could be following the game on busier nights. Retail experience is a plus.

· 50/50 TICKET SELLER: Ticket sellers sell tickets to fans for the nightly 50/50 charitable raffle at Jumbo Shrimp home games. Sellers should comfortably handle large cash transactions and credit card machines, as well as the sale and distribution of 50/50 raffle tickets throughout their work shift. They work to engage fans and staff to spread awareness of the 50/50 raffle program. They solve problems quickly and efficiently and answer questions fans may have about the 50/50 raffle program. Ticket sellers are responsible for meeting and/or exceeding designated sales goals per game. Preferred candidates will be available to work a majority of the 70 home games, arriving 1.5 hours prior to game time.

· FAN EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVES: The Jumbo Shrimp’s most visible and helpful game day employee, the ideal Fan Experience Representative candidate is outgoing, knowledgeable about the ballpark and its rules and regulations, and enjoys interacting with people and having FUN. The Fan Experience Representatives will be located throughout the ballpark, including entry areas of the stadium. Fan Experience Representatives will also serve as friendly faces in many tasks including assisting fans to their seats, answering any questions guests may have, inspection of bags brought into the ballpark by guests and other tasks as needed. These staff members will also direct entry and exit of guests through areas within the ballpark. Arrival time would be approximately a half-hour before gates open for wiping down and preparing their seating section and last until at least the final out of the game, pending postgame activities.

· GROUNDS CREW: A great opportunity to experience baseball in a whole new way. Join the Jumbo Shrimp Grounds Crew and see what it is like to work on a top-tier MiLB field. Be a part of a team within a team and help keep the field in game-ready condition. Must be physically fit, able to lift 50 lbs and be available to work all games on a consistent basis.

· GAME DAY CLEAN TEAM: Team members will work throughout the game keeping 121 Financial Ballpark clean. Responsibilities will include keeping the main concourse tidy, responding to spill calls, emptying trash receptacles throughout the game, keeping restrooms clean and stocked with paper products and soap and generally keeping the stadium presentable. Team members will generally arrive a half hour before the gates open and work through the end of the game, reporting to the stadium operations manager. Candidates may also be considered for non-game day work.

· BAT BOY: Collecting bats from the field is the part you have probably seen at a game, but there is more to the job of a bat boy – from filling water jugs before the game to getting the dugouts prepared and any other duties as assigned by the clubhouse manager. All bat boys must be at least 16 years of age by Opening Day (April 5).

· ID CHECKER: Fans consuming alcohol at Jumbo Shrimp games must first stop by an ID Check station to have their age verified and receive a wrist band from an ID Checker. ID Checkers will arrive at the ballpark a half-hour before gates open, and end time will be based on crowd size and no later than the seventh inning when alcohol sales end.

· PROMOTIONS TEAM: Assist and execute between-inning games and promotional activities on the field, handing out giveaway items, assisting with first pitches, Anthems and engaging fans throughout the game!

· CONCESSIONS LEAD: Responsible for overall operation of a concession stand, including knowledge of setting up a stand, determining levels of production, cleanliness and sanitation of the concession stand, maintaining outstanding quality of customer service, following food HAACP guidelines, alcohol awareness, proper handling of cash, inventory, organization of inventory, and the knowledge to clean and close the stand at the end of the shift. Must have experience operating on a variety of kitchen equipment and cleanup. Responsible for monitoring all aspects of concession stand operation throughout the game. Food Handler Card required.

· CONCESSIONS FLOOR SUPERVISOR: Responsible for directing and overseeing all aspects of the operation of the concession stands and food and beverage portables, including setup and breakdown. Must ensure employees are exemplifying quality of service and customer satisfaction needs. Management experience preferred.

· WAREHOUSE COORDINATOR: Responsible for the operation of the warehouse. The duties include directing and overseeing the receiving and verifying of deliveries from purveyors, proper storage, care, inventory of all products, distributing products to all areas of the stadium, and setup and breakdown of all food and beverage stations. The warehouse manager will work in conjunction with the F&B Team to ensure that all deliveries are dispersed in the most efficient fashion. Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds.

· CONCESSIONS ATTENDANT: Help set up the concession stand per Concession Lead’s instructions while keeping the workspace cleaned and organized throughout the shift. Help within concessions to greet customers and ensures that correct order has been placed while taking payment. Ensure order freshness and quality before serving to guest. Refer all guest complaints to Concession Lead or supervisor. Help close and clean the concession stand at the end of the shift per Concession Lead instructions.

· COOK: Responsible for preparing menu items per the instructions of the F&B Team. Must have some experience as a cook in a professional or industrial kitchen, and experience using a variety of kitchen equipment. Must have some knife skills and a sense of urgency in completing tasks. Must have a Food Handlers’ Card or ServSafe Certificate per the Health Dept. Duties include but not limited to; preparing food items according to the Chef and Kitchen Lead’s instructions, maintaining cooking temperature records, maintain a clean cooking station throughout the event, and adhering to safety and sanitation guidelines. Must be able to remain standing for the entirety of the shift.

· WAREHOUSE WORKER: Duties include receiving and verifying deliveries from purveyors, storing items in areas as directed by the Warehouse Manager, setting up and breaking down portables. Required to put product orders together and deliver them to different areas of the stadium.

· KITCHEN UTILITY: Works closely with kitchen staff, assisting cooks and leads in food prep, overall cleaning and sanitation of the kitchen and cleaning all dishes, small wares, and utensils as directed. Involved with delivering food to various parts of the stadium as needed. Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and withstand freezer elements.

· PARTY DECK ATTENDANT: Responsible for all duties needed to service the party area. This includes the setup/breakdown of the catering area. Throughout the event, must ensure the area stays clean, food stays replenished, and maintained hot or cold. Maintain a positive attitude while greeting/speaking to members of the party throughout event and relaying any comments or concerns to supervisor throughout party.

· VENDING HAWKER: Duties include selling food and beverage in the seating bowl and along the stadium concourse before and during the event. The hawker will be responsible for all cash transactions with fans and will reconcile the money and inventory with the vending manager at the end of the shift. Employee needs to be in good physical condition and be able to carry loads of up to 50 pounds up and down the stairs of the stadium. Hawkers are responsible for ensuring accurate inventory after each game.

· KITCHEN LEAD: Responsible for helping the Chef supervise all aspects of food prep, production, and safety and sanitation in the catering kitchens. Must have experience in a professional or industrial kitchen. Must have a Food Handlers’ Card or ServSafe Certificate per the Health Dept. Duties include but not limited to; preparing, producing, organizing, and storing menu items in accordance with catering BEOs and F&B Team’s instructions.

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are an equal opportunity employer.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at 121 Financial Ballpark. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League’s Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by general manager Harold Craw. The club added its second Promotional Trophy in three years following the 2019 season. The 2021 season marked the return of Triple-A baseball in Jacksonville. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.

AutoZone Park to Hire Event Staff at Four Upcoming Job Fairs 

 

AutoZone Park to Hire Event Staff at Four Upcoming Job Fairs

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – AutoZone Park will be holding three Job Fairs to hire Event Staff for Memphis Redbirds and Memphis 901 FC games during the 2022 season, with the first set for tomorrow, Thursday, February 24.

The Job Fairs will be on the Club Level at AutoZone Park (198 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103) on the following dates:

  • Thursday, February 24, from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 26 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 1 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 pm.
  • Thursday, March 3 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 pm.

Available Event Staff positions include:

Guest Services Representative: Responsibilities range from scanning tickets, checking bags, operating security wands at gates, giving general information and directions throughout the stadium and more.

Promotional Team Member: Set up and execute in-game promotions, lead the crowd in cheers and rallies from on top of the dugout, entertain and interact with the crowd from entrance to exit, work with mascot to fulfill appearances, dance and conduct contests to hype crowd and maintain stadium energy.

Grounds Crew Member: Responsibilities include maintaining mounds/plates, batting practice setup/tear down, game setup for both baseball and soccer, assisting with field security and assisting with converting the field to and from baseball and soccer. Day and night shifts are available.

Team Attendant (Bat Boy/Girl): Responsible for setting up and breaking down sidelines, batting practice, dugouts and bullpens; assisting with field security; shagging foul balls during batting practice and games; collecting bats and balls during the game; assisting umpires, referees, trainers and clubhouse personnel; and helping with load-in/out for the teams.

Team Store Associate: Responsible for Team Store set-up, conversion between teams, running a cash register, folding apparel and any other Team Store needs.

Camera Operator: Responsible for capturing live fan shots, gameplay, fan engagement elements, host stand-ups and more during all Memphis Redbirds/Memphis 901 FC home games. Must have experience operating HD cameras and understand the basics of exposure, focusing, and composition.

All new hires must be at least 18 years of age and successfully pass a background check and drug screening. All positions are part-time, paid hourly. Prospective Event Staff need to attend just one Job Fair. Returning Event Staff who were employed at the end of the 2021 season do not need to attend.

For more information, visit milb.com/memphis/ballpark/job-fair or call 901-721-6000.

“The Nine” – One day, everyone will remember Giancarlo Stanton’s name

 

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club. On February 1, the Jumbo Shrimp unveiled five of the best Black players to ever suit up for Jacksonville (Henry Aaron, Willie Wilson, Giancarlo Stanton, Frank White, Buck O’Neil), plus a legendary Negro leagues star with ties to the city (John Henry “Pop” Lloyd).

Here is a deeper look at Giancarlo Stanton, one of the best Black players in Jacksonville history.

Giancarlo Cruz Michael Stanton had a few of different options for college coming out of Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, Calif.). A three-sport athlete who starred in baseball, basketball and football as a wide receiver and cornerback, the University of Southern California offered him a baseball scholarship with an opportunity to walk-on to the football team coached at the time by Pete Carroll. UNLV offered the opposite; floating a football scholarship with the chance to walk-on to the school’s baseball team. Stanton ultimately accepted a baseball-only scholarship from Tulane.

But he never played for the Green Wave. The then-Florida Marlins had selected him in the second round of the 2007 draft and Stanton opted to sign to begin his professional baseball career.

Stanton was known then as Mike Stanton. His mother had wanted to name him Fidel but his father refused it, with the since-divorced couple ultimately settling on Giancarlo. That name, however, was not used at all during his minor league career or even his first two seasons in the major leagues. He had been going by “Mike” since sixth grade, when he tired of his legal name Giancarlo getting made fun of and his friends having trouble pronouncing it.

In the offseason following the 2011 campaign, Stanton took a baseball trip to Europe, performing clinics in the Netherlands, Czech Republic and Italy. His mind was immediately encapsulated by what he saw on the continent, specifically with the architecture, food and culture that was so unlike what he had grown up with near Los Angeles and what he’d seen playing in the minor leagues and later in Miami. Stanton was so taken with Europe that he even loved hearing the way names like Gianpiero, Gianpaolo, Gianluigi, and yes, Giancarlo were pronounced. When he returned, he informed his parents and the Marlins that he wanted to be known as Giancarlo Stanton.

By this time, baseball was well acquainted with Stanton. During his time in the minor leagues, he had long been regarded as a top prospect. In 2009, at just 19 years old, Stanton wound up leading both High-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville in home runs despite playing in just 50 and 79 games, respectively, with the clubs.

Stanton returned to Jacksonville to start the 2010 campaign and mashed 15 home runs in his first 28 games, tallying 28 walks, 28 runs and 33 RBIs with a batting line of .340/.481/.854 during that stretch. After 52 games, he was hitting .313/.442/.729 with 21 home runs and 52 RBIs before the Marlins called him up to the major leagues.

In 12 MLB seasons since with the Marlins and New York Yankees, Stanton has walloped 347 long balls while batting .268/.358/.543 (143 OPS+). A four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Stanton was named the 2017 NL MVP after leading MLB in both home runs (59) and RBIs (132). His slugging percentage (.631) and OPS+ (169) topped the National League during that campaign. Stanton also finished second in the MVP balloting in 2014 after besting the NL in homers (37) and slugging percentage (.555).

As always, the biggest question surrounding Stanton has been his health. Through his age-31 season, he has played in more than 140 games in a campaign only four times. When he’s been able to get on the field, however, he has performed at a Hall of Fame-level, posting 5.4 WAR/162 games, a higher mark than the average Hall of Fame outfielder. On his Baseball-Reference page, three of the top four most similar batters through all age-31 seasons in baseball history are Hall of Famers in Harmon Killebrew, Ralph Kiner and Jim Thome.

How much are we surprised by what we see on the field or court in sports nowadays? Every highlight is a simple notification or scroll on social media away, right at our fingertips. There’s just not much left to the imagination, and in many ways, that’s a great thing for fans.

Perhaps, though, this is why Giancarlo Stanton is so special. A lot of things still have to happen for him to one day have a plaque in Cooperstown, because, no, he hasn’t always been able to stay on the field. But when he has, even through all those highlights we are inundated with daily, he has still found a way to blow the mind.

With his 500-plus-foot home runs and 122-plus exit velocities, Giancarlo Stanton has seemingly changed what is possible for a hitter on a baseball field. And if that’s it, that’s the only thing his legacy ends up becoming… it’s one that most baseball fans will never be able to forget. Giancarlo Stanton will be known forever.

NOW HIRING: Bisons to hold Open Interviews on Saturday, February 26 

 

The Buffalo Bisons will hold Open Interviews for 2022 Seasonal and Part-time Employment on Saturday, February 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. inside the Consumer’s Pub at the Park restaurant of Sahlen Field.

Available positions include concessions stand managers, cashiers, cooks, porters and vendors and restaurant servers, bartenders, cooks and dishwashers. There are also positions available in merchandise retail, grounds crew and stadium operations, such as cleaning supervisor, first class stationary engineer and gate manager.

View the Bisons Employment page for more information on all positions. Applicants can apply online at any time.

Interested candidates who want to attend open interviews on February 26 should enter Sahlen Field via the Consumer’s Pub at the Park entrance on Washington St. and proceed up to the restaurant on the Mezzanine level of the ballpark. Applicants are encouraged to download an application from Bisons.com for faster interview service on Saturday.

Tides Organization to Continue Youth Field Renovation Project

 

The Norfolk Tides today announced the return of The Youth Field Makeover Project, a contest in which a local youth field will be renovated by Tides groundskeepers and front office staff. This field makeover will include an upgrade to the playing surface, an improvement to existing dugouts, based on need. The recipient of the makeover will be determined by a fan vote on the Tides website in March.

“Year in and year out, this is a special project that allows our staff to give back to very deserving members of the Hampton Roads community” said Tides General Manager Joe Gregory. “Each time we help renovate a field, we’re just thrilled to be making a difference.”

Those interested in having the Tides make over their facility should submit a picture of their field to Heather McKeating at [email protected]. Along with the photo, fans are asked to include a brief synopsis of why their league’s field should receive this enhancement. The deadline to submit this information is March 11, with online voting set to take place on the Tides website after March 14.

Since the inaugural renovation in 2012, the Tides have renovated 15 local fields: Eason’s Crossroads (Gates, NC), Ocean View Little League (Norfolk), Smithfield Recreation Association (Smithfield), Bennett’s Creek Little League (Suffolk), Phoebus Little League (Hampton), Shore Little League (Nassawadox), Cradock Little League (Portsmouth), Little Creek National (Norfolk), Gloucester Youth Baseball (Gloucester), Surry County Pony Baseball (Surry), Deer Park Youth Field (Newport News), Plaza Little League (Virginia Beach), Thalia/Malibu Baseball (Virginia Beach), Churchland Little League (Portsmouth) and Albemarle (North Carolina).

The project is made possible thanks to the Tides Youth Baseball Fund, a program established by the Tides in 1990 as a way to raise money for youth baseball and softball programs in Hampton Roads. The Youth Baseball Fund is partially financed by scoreboard announcements at Harbor Park throughout the season, and those wishing to make a donation directly to the Youth Baseball Fund can do so via norfolkides.com under the “Harbor Park” section.


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IronPigs to Host Weeklong Job Fair

 

IronPigs are seeking hard-working, baseball loving, customer service-oriented individuals to join their team for another season!

Allentown, Pennsylvania (21 February 2022) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will be hosting a weeklong job fair from Monday, February 28 through Friday, March 4 from 4-6 p.m. at Coca-Cola Park. Interviews will be held in person or on zoom.

The benefits of working with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs include a family/fun environment, the opportunity to work in sports, and a flexible schedule!

Select departments will be interviewing for seasonal positions including Food & Beverage, Ticketing, Housekeeping, Ushers, Grounds Crew and more. Opportunities to work indoor, outdoor, and part time will be available. These jobs include the opportunity to work the 75 IronPigs home baseball games as well as other special events taking place at the ballpark between April and September. The IronPigs are also accepting applications from 14-year-old and 15-year-olds for food and beverage positions.

Applicants can apply at anytime and are encouraged to provide a resume at the time of the interview. An application can be found by going to ironpigsbaseball.com. Applicants may also apply here.

For applicants who are unable to interview during the scheduled times from 4-6 p.m., they can call 610-841-PIGS (7447) or walk-in to get applications and schedule zoom or in person interviews during the rest of the IronPigs office hours.

The IronPigs will also be interviewing candidates on Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Follow the IronPigs on Twitter at @IronPigs and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/LHVIronPigs.

The IronPigs are presented by Capital BlueCross.

–#OinkOn–

The Nine: Highlighting Black stars in Omaha baseball history

 

As part of honoring Black History month and Minor League Baseball’s initiative, “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball, and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide, the Omaha Storm Chasers are highlighting five of the franchise’s and city’s top Black players.

 

Bob Gibson (Omaha Cardinals, 1957-1959)

Bob Gibson’s baseball career has gone down as not only as one of the best by an Omaha native, but also one of the best in the history of the state of Nebraska. He’s one of six members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame born in Nebraska, a group that includes Grover Cleveland Alexander, Richie Ashburn, Wade Boggs, Sam Crawford, and Billy Southworth.

A two-time Cy Young Award winner, 1968 NL MVP, nine-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glover, two-time World Series champion and World Series MVP, Gibson began his baseball career in Omaha at Creighton University, where he played both baseball and basketball for the Bluejays.

Gibson played professionally for Omaha from 1957-1959, when he suited up for the Omaha Cardinals of the American Association and played at Omaha Municipal Stadium (later known at Rosenblatt Stadium). He made 33 starts for the Omaha Cardinals over the course of three seasons, striking out 170 in 264.0 innings while breaking into the Major Leagues in 1959.

Now commemorated with a statue outside Werner Park, Gibson is best-remembered for authoring one of the greatest pitching seasons in baseball history in 1968, posting a 1.12 ERA (a post-integration record) in 34 starts, striking out 268 in 304.2 innings while posting a 22-9 record and throwing 13 shutouts.

Frank White (1973)

A member of the Royals’ Hall of Fame, White is one of six people (and three players) to have their number retired at Werner Park. He spent most of the 1973 season playing for the Omaha Royals while also making his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals that season and playing 51 Major League games. In 86 games with Omaha, White batted .264/.341/.365 with 19 doubles to help anchor a lineup that also featured future Hall of Famer George Brett.

White spent his entire Major League career with Kansas City, earning All-Star honors five times and Gold Glove honors eight times over the course of his 18 seasons. In 1985, White helped lead Kansas City to the franchise’s first World Series title while becoming the first second baseman since Jackie Robinson to bat cleanup in a World Series game. His best World Series performance game in Game 3, when he doubled, homered, and drove in three to give the Royals their first win of the series.

Willie Wilson (1977)

A member of the Royals Hall of Fame, Wilson played his lone season with Omaha in 1977, the year after he made his Major League debut as a September call-up from Double-A. Wilson tied for first on the 1977 Omaha Royals in games played (132), ranked second in hits (145) behind Clint Hurdle, and set a franchise record for steals (74) that would be broken just two seasons later by Germán Barranca (75). Wilson’s 74 steals in 1977 were the most in Triple-A and the fifth-most in Minor League Baseball (Ricky Henderson led Minor League Baseball with 95 steals for Class A Modesto).

He went on to play a total of 15 seasons with Kansas City, earning All-Star honors in 1982 and 1983 and helping the Royals win the 1985 World Series by going 11-for-30 (.367) in the Fall Classic. One of the fastest players in the league, Wilson racked up 668 stolen bases in his career (12th all time) and led the league in triples five times. While he won the batting title with a .332 average in 1982, his best season came in 1980, when he hit .326/.357/.421 while leading the league in runs (133), hits (230), and triples (15). He also rapped 28 doubles and stole 79 bases in 1980 en route to finishing fourth in an American League MVP race won by George Brett.

Dwayne Hosey (1994-1995)

One of five players in franchise history to earn league MVP honors, Hosey posted one of the best all-around seasons in franchise history in 1994, his first of two seasons in Omaha.

In 1994, Hosey was named American Association MVP after batting .333/424/.628 with 95 runs scored, 23 doubles, 27 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases in 112 games and recording 13 outfield assists as the team’s primary centerfielder. He finished second in the league in average (.333) and on-base percentage (.424) while leading the league in slugging (.628) by 48 points and tying for second in the circuit in homers (27). His 95 runs, eight triples, and 27 steals were all tops across Triple-A. Hosey returned to Omaha in 1995 and played 75 games, smacking 21 doubles and 12 homers while stealing 15 bases and hitting .295/.363/.535.

Hosey made his Major League debut with Boston in 1995, playing 52 total games for the Red Sox between 1995 and 1996 before enjoying a standout season with the Nippon Professional Baseball League’s (Japan) Yakult Swallows in 1997, when he was named a member of the league’s Best Nine team.

An Omaha resident since 2003, Hosey has owned and operated Hosey Baseball Training Center in Keystone since 2015.

Lorenzo Cain (2011-2012, 2014, 2016)

One of the most dynamic players in modern franchise history and in the Storm Chasers era (2011-pres.), Lorenzo Cain anchored Omaha’s 2011 Pacific Coast League Championship team in his lone full season with Omaha.

Cain played 128 games for Omaha in 2011, batting .312/.380/.497 with 28 doubles, 16 home runs, and 16 stolen bases. He was the starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter for the first-ever Storm Chasers home game at Werner Park on April 16, 2011, sharing the field with current Major Leaguers Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Manny Piña, Danny Duffy, and Jesse Chavez. Cain hit third in the Chasers’ lineup throughout the 2011 postseason, batting .438 (14-for-32) with three doubles, a triple, and two RBIs.

Currently in his second stint with the Milwaukee Brewers, Cain spent seven seasons with Kansas City, earning All-Star honors in 2015 en route to leading the Royals to a World Series title. He also helped the Royals win the American League pennant in 2014, earning ALCS MVP honors by batting .533 (8-for-15) with five runs scored and two doubles during the American League Championship Series against Baltimore.

The Omaha Storm Chasers are scheduled to begin the 2022 season on April 5 at Indianapolis before welcoming fans to Werner Park for the home opener on April 12 vs. Louisville. The full 2022 schedule can be found here and single-game tickets are now available here.

For more tickets and more information, please visit omahastormchasers.com, call the Werner Park Ticket office at (402) 738-5100, and follow the team on social media. You can follow the team on Twitter @omastormchasers, on Instagram @omahastormchasers, and “like” the team on Facebook at facebook.com/omahastormchasers.

Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game returns to Sahlen Field, May 15

 

Because nobody circles the bases like the Buffalo Bills!!!

The Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game, benefiting his IMagINe for Youth Foundation presented by West Herr Automotive Group with support from Equitable Advisors, will return to Sahlen Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons, on Sunday, May 15 (1pm). >>>Tickets are on sale now

After guiding his team to victory in the inaugural event nearly three years ago, 2017 Pro Bowler and 2021 Second Team All-Pro Micah Hyde and the defense finally have a chance to defend their supremacy on the diamond! Be a part of the fun and the rivalry as both dugouts will be filled with Micah’s Bills teammates, coaches and other Buffalo legends as they battle it out on the diamond for charity!

The afternoon will also include a special pre-game Home Run Derby starting at 12 p.m. Ballpark gates will open at 11 a.m.

Micah Hyde shares,

“Growing up, I was fortunate to be heavily involved in sports. Though I was given the opportunity to do so, I witnessed the obstacles my family had to face in order to provide opportunities, not only for myself, but my siblings as well. With all of these activities came costs that were not easy for my mother to attain. I can remember being responsible for insurance and participation fees, travel costs along with purchasing the equipment needed. If it were not for my mom doing all that she could do, along with a support system that we were able to fall back on, I would not be where I am today. I know there are many kids that face similar circumstances, but unfortunately, they do not have a support system to depend on. That’s why the IMagINe for Youth Foundation is here to give children the support they need in order to participate.

Looking back, being involved in athletics was more than Xs and Os. I learned to take the good with the bad, the bad with the good, and playing with countless personalities taught me how to coexist and be a team player. These are fundamentals that stuck with me. I believe sports is a gateway to learning how to be successful in the real world. I strongly believe that every child deserves the same opportunity to learn and experience those successes.

I have always wanted to give back. Now is the time to do so. Please join me in making a difference. I’M IN. Are you?”

Ticket Information -On Sale Now

Tickets for the softball game are just $10 or $23 – Micah Hyde’s jersey number. *A very limited number of tickets are available for $85 for the best seats in the house that *include a Micah Hyde autographed Buffalo Bills mini-helmet. All tickets can be purchased at Bisons.com or in person at Sahlen’s Field Box Office.

If you are interested in group ticket, suites or sponsorship donation opportunities, please contact Carley Sanfilippo at Team Lammi Sports Management at (414) 507-6197 or [email protected].

For more information on the Imagine for Youth Foundation please visit https://www.IMagINeforyouth.org/.

Hens recognize five of the best Black players in Toledo history

 

In celebration of Black History Month throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players to suit up for the Toledo Mud Hens.

MOSES FLEETWOOD WALKER

Walker made his first appearance in Toledo during the 1883 season, appearing in 60 of the Toledo Blue Stockings 84 games as a catcher. He hit .251 that year, helping Toledo to a league championship in the Northwestern League.

On Opening Day 1884, Walker once again suited up as the catcher for the Blue Stockings as the team joined Ben Johnson’s Western Association (which would later become the modern-day American League). By doing so, he became the first African-American player to play a major league game.

During that season, Walker hit .263 but due to battling injuries he was limited to just 42 games during the 104-game season. His brother Weldy joined the Blue Stockings during that season, playing in a total of six games.

IKE BROWN

Brown spent his entire baseball career inside the Detroit organization that included multiple years in Toledo from 1967 through 1969. His first season in Toledo was as a 25-year-old when he posted a .269 batting average with 18 doubles, seven home runs, and 57 RBI to go along with 15 stolen bases.

A fan favorite in Toledo, Brown finished his Hens career with 34 home runs, 168 RBI, 33 stolen bases, and 48 doubles while appearing in 255 games.

He went on to join the Tigers after scorching Triple-A baseball in the 1969 season with a .356 average in 53 games for the Hens. That started a stretch of six seasons in MLB baseball, all with Detroit. The Memphis, Tennessee native appeared in 280 games for Detroit with a .256 average to go along 15 doubles, four triples, 20 homers, and 65 RBI. He also scored 85 runs in his major league career.

KIRBY PUCKETT

Puckett arrived in Toledo as a 24-year-old that skipped right over Double-A to start the 1984 season in Toledo. It was a short stay as after just 21 games, the Minnesota Twins decided to call up their first round pick (#3 overall) from 1982 to join the club. Puckett stole eight bases while hitting .263 for the Hens before joining the big league club.

The Chicago, Illinois native would never see the minor leagues again after his stay with the Hens, going on to play in 12 seasons for the Twins, including two World Series Championships. Over ten consecutive seasons he was named an MLB All-Star from his first appearance in 1986 to his last in 1995, which was also his final season. Six times he was named a Silver Slugger Award winner and matched that number with Gold Glove awards.

Puckett finished his career with a .318 batting average, 2,304 hits, 414 doubles, 57 triples, 207 homers, and 1,085 RBI. He topped baseball with a .339 batting average, while also leading the league in RBI once with 112 in the 1994 season at age 34. Puckett was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

TONY CLARK

Clark rocketed through the minor leagues after being selected by the Detroit Tigers second overall in the 1990 draft. He reached Triple-A and first wore a Hens uniform for 25 games at the end of the 1994 season. As just a 23-year-old, Clark cracked 14 home runs with 63 RBI in 110 games for the Hens in 1995 that led to his first big league call-up.

1996 became his first of a 15-year MLB career that saw him finish third in the Rookie of the Year voting in 1996 and also saw him as an All-Star in 2001 season. Most of Clark’s career was spent with Detroit (seven seasons) but he also played for Arizona, both the New York Yankees and New York Mets, and also the San Diego Padres. The Newton, Kansas native finished his career with 251 homers, 824 RBI, a .262 batting average, and 1,188 hits.

Clark continues to shape the future of baseball as the current head of the baseball players union.

MARCUS THAMES

After being a 30th round pick by the New York Yankees in 1996, Thames found his way to Toledo in the 2004 season after making his Major League debut with New York in 2002 and playing part of 2003 in Texas. That started a stretch of six consecutive seasons for him in the Detroit organization.

Most of his 151 appearances in a Hens uniform came from the 2004 and 2005 seasons with 137 games played during those two years. In 2004, the Louisville, Mississippi native hit 24 home runs with 59 RBI while hitting .329 in just 64 games. The next year while part of one of the best Hens teams of all-time, Thames showcased that power again with 22 bombs and 56 RBI to go along with a .340 average in 73 contests. That year was the first of back-to-back IL Championships for Toledo. In total as a Mud Hen, he hit 49 home runs with 123 RBI.

Thames went on to play in 640 career Major League games with 485 coming in a Tigers uniform. He was a huge part of the 2006 Tigers team that advanced to the World Series only to lose to St. Louis in five games. That year he was third on the Tigers with 26 home runs. Post his playing days, Thames spent four years as hitting coach for the New York Yankees from 2017-2021 and will have that role in 2022 with the Miami Marlins.

Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Wendell Magee

 

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Over the month, we will highlight some of the best Black baseball players to ever suit up for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Wendell Magee

Wendell Magee was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 12th round of the 1994 draft out of Samford University. The Hattiesburg, Mississippi, native was never picked for his high school baseball team but went on to play football and baseball in college. After an athletic career that saw him inducted into both Pearl River Community College and Stamford’s respective Halls of Fame, Magee embarked on a 12-year professional baseball career.

Magee dominated in his first two years of pro ball and reached Triple-A in 1996. After 71 games with Reading, the Phillies promoted Magee to the Red Barons, where he appeared in 44 games and batted .284. The Phillies gave him a first-look at the bigs that season as well.

The outfielder spent the bulk of the next three summers with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Magee found his stride in 1998 and 1999 for the Red Barons, hitting a combined .286 over 268 games with 44 home runs and 151 combined runs batted in during those two seasons for skipper Marc Bombard.

The Phillies traded Magee to Detroit in 2000 and he appeared in nearly 300 games for the Tigers over the next few years, including spending the bulk of 2002 as their starting centerfielder. He was reacquired by Philadelphia in 2003 in a deal with Cleveland. Magee returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and hit .333 over 25 games before the Phillies released him.

Magee spent seven seasons in the Majors where he held a .244 average, but his time with the Red Barons and in Triple-A truly set him apart from the pack. In 420 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he hit .281. His 65 home runs for the Red Barons ranks second all-time in franchise history.

Read the rest of the series:

Part One: Celebrating Marlon Anderson

Part Two: Celebrating Ryan Howard

Part Three: Celebrating Aaron Judge

Job Fair Feb. 26 at Slugger Field

 

The Louisville Bats are hosting a job fair for game-day positions for the 2022 baseball season! Earn some extra cash or pick up College credit while spending your summer at the ballpark with our exciting game-day opportunities!

The job fair will be hosted at Louisville Slugger Field on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Hall of Fame. Hiring managers for available positions will be on-site for the event and are looking for qualified candidates to work across a variety of positions this summer.

The available positions include but are not limited to:

  • Bat Boys
  • Ushers
  • Game-Day Promo Team (Pepsi Squad)
  • Concessions positions with Centerplate

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CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF AVAILABLE POSITIONS

(Attendees are asked to park in the East Parking Lot to enter the ballpark for the Job Fair)

“The Nine” – The great Royals teams of the ’70s & ’80s needed Willie Wilson and Frank White

 

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club. On February 1, the Jumbo Shrimp unveiled five of the best Black players to ever suit up for Jacksonville, plus a legendary Negro leagues star with ties to the city.

Here is a deeper look at Willie Wilson and Frank White, two of the best Black players in Jacksonville history.

Even now, the names still roll off the tongue so easily, like burnt ends from Arthur Bryant’s getting washed down with an ice-cold Boulevard brew. George Brett. Amos Otis. Willie Wilson. Frank White. Hal McRae. Dan Quisenberry. John Mayberry.

Anyone who pictures those great Kansas City Royals teams – and wow, were they great – from the 1970s and ‘80s can remember the audacious baserunning, the airtight defense and the winning. In those days, the Royals won. A lot.

In the 15 seasons from 1975-89, Kansas City earned six division titles, two American League pennants and the 1985 World Series championship. The Royals won at least 90 games eight times, finishing with a winning record in all but two full seasons (they were also 50-53 in the strike-shortened 1981 campaign.)

Over the 32 seasons since, the Royals, outside of the 2014 AL pennant and the 2015 World Series title, have mostly been not just bad, but atrocious. They’ve suffered 15 90-loss seasons, 10 times losing more than 95 games and six campaigns with at least 100 defeats. They’ve posted only six winning seasons, earning a division title just once.

In the minds of young fans, the Royals of the past three-plus decades have mostly been just a blip on the baseball horizon, a flyover for an easy series win. It’s the older fans who can recall the special style that stood out from cutting-edge roster construction of Kansas City’s winning days before then.

Perhaps most remarkably, on teams known for terrific defense, the Royals’ top two defensive players either did not even play a remotely similar position, or baseball at all, in high school. Wilson was a catcher at Summit High School in New Jersey. White attended Lincoln High School in Kansas City, which did not have a baseball team. White was only discovered post-graduation at a tryout for the Royals’ Baseball Academy.

With the Royals, the pair became known for the club’s bedrock stellar up-the-middle defense, with Wilson starring in center field and White anchoring second base.

Willie Wilson still places 12th all-time in stolen bases in MLB history.

Wilson had two idols growing up: Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen, which made Wilson want to play catcher at Summit, and Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers. Wilson’s football coach arranged for Sayers to visit Wilson in the hospital when Wilson was recovering from a foot injury. A part of championship teams in both baseball and football in high school, Wilson’s athletic prowess, at least partially inspired by his sports heroes, helped him earn an athletic scholarship to the University of Maryland.

However, after Kansas City used its first-round pick on Wilson in 1974, he opted to sign with the Royals for $90,000, using some of that money to pay off the bills that his single mother had accrued.

The Royals immediately moved Wilson to the outfield, where, learning a new position and facing more accomplished pitchers, he initially struggled. Still, despite posting a meager .663 OPS, Billy Scripture, his manager for the Rookie-level GCL Royals and later the skipper of the 1975-76 Jacksonville Suns, immediately recognized the type of talent Kansas City was trying to develop, telling reporters that “having Wilson in center field was like having four outfielders.”

After leading the Class A Midwest League in hits (132), setting a league record with 76 stolen bases and earning the circuit’s Player of the Year award while with Waterloo in 1975, Wilson moved up to Double-A Jacksonville for the 1976 season. Wilson hit .253/.309/.325 with the Suns and made his major league debut in September of that year. In 1977, Wilson converted to become a switch-hitter and played mostly with Triple-A Omaha before reaching the big leagues for good late in that campaign.

Wilson’s 19-year career was often breathtaking for fans to take in. He was a two-time All-Star, earned two Silver Slugger Awards and one Gold Glove Award, won the 1982 American League batting title (.332), set a league and club record in 1979 with 83 stolen bases and also set all-time Royals records with 612 steals and a preposterous 13 inside-the-park home runs.

After 15 seasons with Kansas City, Wilson ended his career in 1994 following two years apiece on the Oakland A’s and Chicago Cubs. He compiled 2,207 career hits and 46.1 bWAR, with his 668 career steals still ranking him 12th all-time in MLB history. A Royals icon, Wilson earned induction into the Royals Hall of Fame in 2000.

Despite not playing in high school, Frank White became one of the greatest defensive second basemen of all-time.

While Wilson was a first-round pick, with the Royals clearly seeing he had the potential for stardom, White was not drafted at all. Though White had wanted to play baseball, he simply did not think it was something he was good enough to get paid for as a professional. “I dreamed about it, but you dream about a lot of things that never happen,” he later said.

When Kansas City announced tryouts for the Royals’ Baseball Academy, a flagship program that sought to refine the skills of athletically-gifted prospects who had been neglected by other major league teams because they had not played much baseball in high school or college, White did not even plan to attend. He figured he would not be able to get off work, but Hall of Famer Hilton Smith, who coached his Safeway grocery sandlot team, and Bill Rowan, his high school science teacher and basketball coach, convinced White to find a way to attend.

On the first day of the tryout, White shined among the roughly 300 other applicants. However, with a wife and baby to support at home, he was crushed during the event when he overheard that the plan was to only send unmarried players to the Academy. White left the tryout thinking his baseball career was over.

Only then, something miraculous happened. While at his parents’ house, a limousine belonging to Royals owner Ewing Kauffman pulled up. The owner was not inside, but he had sent the limo so that he could speak with White on its car phone. Kauffman offered White a spot in the Academy and his wife a job in the camp’s ticket office so that the family could move and White could start a professional baseball career. White agreed to the offer.

As a graduate of the Royals’ Baseball Academy, White was one of eight players on the 1971 GCL Royals who had never played an inning of high school baseball. He spent time with both Class A San Jose and Double-A Jacksonville in 1972, slashing .252/.316/.318 with 13 stolen bases in 16 attempts over 91 games with the Suns. Sadly, though, he dealt with far more on his plate off the field than just simply learning how to play the game. As the only Black player with Jacksonville at the time, his teammates would bring him food and drinks while White remained on the bus at various stops to road games across the South. White often was not allowed in restaurants.

White moved back to the Midwest for the 1973 season to play for Omaha and made his major league debut later that season. He would spend the next 18 years at the keystone for Kansas City, earning eight Gold Glove Awards, five All-Star appearances and a Silver Slugger Award. White’s No. 20 was retired by the Royals in 1995, the same year he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.

The honors and accolades tell quite the story for someone who didn’t even play baseball in high school. But it’s one thing to have a fairytale career and earn several accolades and awards. It’s another to do it with the utmost respect from your peers.

So then, how good was Frank White, according to his legendary teammate George Brett? “It`s like that song by Carly Simon,” Brett once said. “‘Nobody Does It Better.’”

Celebrating Black History Month: Highlighting Aaron Judge

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are looking back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers from across the sport went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Over the month, we will highlight some of the best Black baseball players to ever suit up for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Aaron Judge

The New York Yankees selected Aaron Judge with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Fresno State University. His meteoric rise saw him conquer A-ball in 2014, combining for 17 home runs over 131 games with Charleston and Tampa. In 2015, Judge split the season between Trenton and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, launching 20 home runs over 124 total games while driving in 72. He also garnered a starting spot as the designated hitter in the 2015 Futures Game.

Judge opened the 2016 campaign in a RailRiders uniform, spending four and a half months patrolling the outfield at PNC Field and around the International League. Judge hit .270, including .343 in June alone, and tallied 19 home runs with 65 runs driven in as an IL All-Star before the Yankees called him to the Majors. The RailRiders were 75-44 at the time of Judge’s MLB debut, well on their way to the league crown, and ultimately, the Triple-A National Championship.

In 2017, Judge was the unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year. His first full season in the Majors produced a .284 average, a league-best 52 home runs and 114 runs batted in. He was tabbed as an All-Star for the first of three times in his still-young career and finished second in AL MVP voting.

In 2019, Judge was tabbed for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s All-Time Team as part of their 30th Anniversary Season celebration.

In six Major League seasons, Judge has hit 158 home runs over 572 games and built a following across the sport with his power and his charisma. So much so that the Judge’s Chambers in right field at Yankee Stadium are all ready to rise with one swing of his bat.

Read the rest of the series:

Part One: Celebrating Marlon Anderson

Part Two: Celebrating Ryan Howard