Thursday, November 16, 2017

Thunder Extend Netting At ARM & HAMMER Park for 2018 Season

Thunder Extend Netting At ARM & HAMMER Park for 2018 Season
Extended Netting (1)

The Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, are pleased to announce that the backstop netting at ARM & HAMMER Park has been extended for the 2018 season.

The backstop net at ARM & HAMMER Park will be the first in Minor League Baseball to use the green MLB-exclusive knotless netting. The backstop netting will extend in a triangle shape to the end of the dugout on both sides of the ballpark.

"Following the recommendations of Major League Baseball, we explored many options for how we could comply," said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. "Fan safety is a top priority for us and we found this netting from C & H Baseball was the perfect balance of safety without affecting sightlines for our fans."

The project has been completed for Opening Day at ARM & HAMMER Park as the franchise prepares for it's 25th season.

"Providing a great ballpark experience includes ensuring the safety of spectators," said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. "I applaud Thunder management for taking this step to further protect fans without detracting from their ability to enjoy the game."

C & H Baseball, based in Lakewood Ranch, FL, has produced baseball field equipment, backstop netting, and stadium padding design, production, and installation for over 49 years.

Your Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, will begin the 2018 season, the 25th in franchise history, on Thursday, April 5 when they host the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants). Season tickets, Pic-A-Plans, Mini Plans and Group Tickets are on sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com and by phone at 609-394-3300.

--THUNDER--

“Curacao Kid” Andruw Jones Signs on for RiverDogs Hot Stove Banquet

“Curacao Kid” Andruw Jones Signs on for RiverDogs Hot Stove Banquet
Braves slugger and ten-time gold glover will be the featured guest at the 14th annual event

CHARLESTON, S.C. – One of the great all-around players of his generation, a winner of ten consecutive gold gloves, ten straight 20-homer seasons, and a 2005 Silver Slugger Award, former Braves great Andruw Jones will be the featured guest at the Charleston RiverDogs’ 14th Annual Hot Stove Banquet & Auction presented by Tom McQueeney State Farm on Friday, February 2 at the Charleston Marriott Crystal Ballroom.

The RiverDogs, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, welcome a former member of the Braves for the eighth time and a former Yankee, also for an eighth instance in the annual event’s history. The Hot Stove Banquet has become one of the most highly anticipated occasions by RiverDogs fans each season.  Past speakers include Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Ryne Sandberg, Wade Boggs, and Goose Gossage in an event that brings baseball fans together to celebrate the magic of America’s pastime.

Jones, a five-time All-Star, will share behind-the-scenes stories, answer questions, and pose for pictures. The event will open with a cocktail hour and silent auction that includes baseball memorabilia from past Hot Stove speakers, collectibles from RiverDogs Director of Fun Bill Murray, vacation packages, and more, beginning at 6pm.

Tom McQueeney State Farm Insurance is the presenting sponsor for the 11th consecutive year. Proceeds from the Hot Stove Banquet benefit The Citadel, College of Charleston and Charleston Southern baseball scholarship funds.

Over an accomplished 17-year big league career, Jones collected over 1,900 hits and slugged 434 home runs while batting .254/.337/.486 with 152 stolen bases. He spent 12 years with Atlanta after signing as an international free agent at age 16 with the Braves out of Willemstad, Curacao in 1993, and finished his career in pinstripes over two seasons with the Yankees.

Inserted as a regular his rookie year in 1996, Jones made his Major League debut as just a 19-year-old, and helped the Braves win a second consecutive NL pennant in his first of ten years in which he both won a gold glove and produced at least 20 homers from 1998-2007. Jones broke out as arguably the game’s biggest young star during his rookie season after Braves GM Mark Schuerholz dealt away Mark Whitten to the Mariners following a World Series title in 1995, confident in the 19-year-old’s ability. Jones was named the top prospect in the South Atlantic League the year prior after leading the Class A circuit in runs scored (104) and stolen bases (56) while batting .277, and being named the Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year.

The “Curacao Kid” played a crucial role in Atlanta’s 1996 run that just fell short, including becoming the youngest player to hit a home run in the October Classic, taking Andy Pettitte deep in his first at-bat of Game One before adding a second inning dinger off Brian Boehringer to etch his name into history as the first player since 1972 to hit home runs in their first two World Series at-bats.

Jones had his best season as a pro in 2005 when he hit .263 with 51 homers that led all of baseball and 128 RBI to earn the Hank Aaron Award as the National League’s top hitter, Silver Slugger accolades, and a second-place finish in the NL MVP race behind Albert Pujols. The 6’1” slugger’s age-28 season was the peak of an impressive tenure in the Majors that included a pair of 40-homer seasons (seven 30 HR seasons), five 100-RBI campaigns, and four years in which he scored at least 100 runs. His ten career gold glove awards in the outfield are bested only by Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente who hold 12 each.
Individual tickets to the Hot Stove Banquet are $75 and can be purchased online at riverdogs.com and rileyparkevents.com. Groups can reserve a table of eight for $600 and a table for ten at $750 by contacting the RiverDogs Special Event Department at (843) 577-DOGS (3647).
RiverDogs season tickets, half-season ticket packages, and flex plans, including options to the Riley Park Club, are now available for the 2018 campaign. The RiverDogs begin the season on April 12 when they host the Kannapolis Intimidators at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, preceded by a weeklong road trip to open the year and an exhibition opener at The Joe on April 3 against Myrtle Beach. Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com/tickets.


--RIVERDOGS--

Previous Hot Stove Speakers
2017 – Tom Glavine
2016 – Ryne Sandberg
2015 – Goose Gossage & Brett Gardner
2014 – Phil Niekro & Javy Lopez
2013 – Wade Boggs
2012 – John Smoltz
2011 – Bobby Cox
2010 – Dale Murphy
2009 – Gaylord Perry
2008 – Jeff Francoeur
2007 – Tommy John
2006 – Jim Bouton
2005 – Bobby Richardson

Thunder Welcome Nine To New Front Office Positions

Thunder Welcome Nine To New Front Office Positions


Lydia Rios has been promoted to VP, Marketing & Sponsorships
The 25th season of baseball at ARM & HAMMER Park is right around the corner and the Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, are pleased to welcome nine members of the organization to new positions for the 2018 season and beyond.

A lifelong resident of Hamilton Square, NJ, Lydia Rios has been promoted to VP, Marketing & Sponsorships. Rios joined the Thunder prior to the 2015 season and has overseen substantial increases in sponsorship revenue in three seasons leading the department.

"Lydia has been a fantastic addition to our team," said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. "Her passion and energy for life is infectious to our entire staff. Her always sunny attitude inspires every person on our staff from full-time employees to assistants to interns to game day staff to smile and have fun while working here. Her previous experience working in the marketplace has made her an indispensable leader in our sales efforts."

Within the Corporate Sales Department, Vince Marcucci has been promoted to Director, Corporate & Community Affairs. Marcucci joined the Thunder prior to the 2015 season as a Ticket Sales Account Representative and has since taken the reigns of the team's Community Affairs efforts and sits as the Executive Director of Grand Slam We Care, the team's 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Marcucci is a member of the Princeton Mercer Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau's Steering Committee, serves as the Vice-Chair of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, a member of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for Advancing Opportunities. Marcucci was honored by the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce as a Champion for Business on October 5, 2017.

In the Creative Services department, the Thunder are pleased to welcome Deanna Lugo and Dylan DeSimine to new positions for the 2018 season. Lugo joined the team prior to the 2016 season as Production Manager and was promoted to Director, Creative Services in July of 2017. As Director, Lugo oversees all production and creative elements of the Thunder entertainment experience as well as the creation of all internal and external marketing materials for the organization. Originally from Ocean City, NJ, Lugo holds a bachelor's degree in Radio/Film/TV from Rowan University. Prior to joining the Thunder, Lugo spent time working for NFL Films in their camera department and NBC Sports Philadelphia as a Studio Technician.

DeSimine joins the Thunder after spending the 2017 season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals, Advanced-A) as Web & Creative Services Assistant and Producer of the Rocks Report, a biweekly show about the team. DeSimine graduated from Rowan University with a Film & Broadcasting degree in 2016, has spent time working with the Production Department at the Philadelphia Eagles and can work a Star Wars reference into almost any coversation he takes part in.

The Thunder are pleased to welcome Jason Smith as Head Groundskeeper after one season working with the Baltimore Orioles Groundscrew. While with the Orioles, Smith worked under former Thunder Groundskeeper, Nicole Sherry, and will embark on his ninth season working in turf management. Smith was raised in Ames, Iowa and graduated from O'Gorman High School in 2004 (Sioux Falls, SD). While in college at the University of Northern Iowa, Smith played baseball and had Tommy John surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews before beginning his career in field and turf management with the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins, Class-A).

In the Ticket and Group Sales Department, the Thunder are pleased to welcome Freddie Strebeck and Tommy Kay as Ticket Sales Account Representatives and Kevin Brady as Group Sales Account Executive.

Strebeck, a 2017 graduate of West Chester University with a degree in Communications and Journalism, hails from South Brunswick, NJ and joins the full-time staff after spending the 2017 season as a Front Office Intern and Group Sales Coordinator. As a student, he completed a Social Media Marketing internship with the Rams' Athletic Department. Strebeck, an avid sports fan, attended the clinching game of the both the 2008 and 2009 World Series.

Kay joins the Thunder after spending 2017 with the Wilmington Blue Rocks as a Ticket Sales Assistant. Kay hails from Springfield, NJ and graduated from Temple University with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management. While at Temple, Kay completed internships with the Philadelphia Soul and Burlington County Division of Parks.

Brady joined the team as a Ticket Sales Assistant in 2016 and joined the full-time staff as a Ticket Sales Account Representative during the following season. Originally from Stow, Massachusetts, Brady joined the Thunder after serving as an Event Operations Intern for the Philadelphia Union (MLS) and a Game Day Operations Intern for the Philadelphia Soul (Arena Football League) while he completed his degree in Marketing & Management from Penn State Abington in 2015. Brady is an avid New England Patriots fan and much to his disappointment, shares no relation to Tom.

Lauren Cox joined the team as Office Manager in May after graduating from Temple University's Sport and Recreation Management in 2016. Cox comes to the Thunder after completing internships with the Men's and Women's US Open Golf Tournaments and the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs (Philadelphia Philles, Class-AAA) in 2014, and with Comcast Spectacor in 2015 and 2016 in talent acquisition and employee engagement. Originally from East Windsor, NJ, Cox lists her favorite foods as pizza, pierogies and pickles.

Your Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, will begin the 2018 season, the 25th in franchise history, on Thursday, April 5 when they host the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants). Season tickets, Pick-A-Plans, Mini Plans and Group Tickets are on sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com and by phone at 609-394-3300.


--THUNDER--

Judge, Montgomery Named To 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team

Judge, Montgomery Named To 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
Fans can get exclusive trading cards of the ‘Rookie Cup’ team on Topps.com

NEW YORK, November 7, 2017 -- Yankee standouts Aaron Judge and Jordan Montgomery were today named among the 11 MLB players selected to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team.
The right fielder Judge, the presumptive candidate for A.L. Rookie of the Year and a finalist for league MVP, slashed .284/.422/.627 with 52 home runs and 114 RBI in his first full season in the big leagues. The 25-year-old also won the Home Run Derby and was selected to the All-Star Game.

Montgomery, 24, a surprise addition to the rotation out of spring training, pitched to a 9-7 record and 3.88 ERA, starting 29 games and tossing 155 1/3 innings, both third on the squad.

“This is one of the most impressive Topps MLB All-Star Rookie Team classes I have seen,” said David Leiner, Vice President and General Manager of Topps North American Sports & Entertainment. “It shows how incredibly popular baseball was this year with its young breakout stars. They join an incredible group of players who have won the Topps Rookie Cup in the past and will have the special logo appear on their Topps trading cards next season.”

For the second year in a row, baseball fans can get special TOPPS NOW® cards of the Topps MLB All-Star Rookie Team immediately with an exclusive set available on Topps.com.

Two other MLB teams had multiple players named to the Topps All-Star Rookie: the Boston Red Sox with outfielder Andrew Benintendi and third baseman Rafael Devers, and the Milwaukee Brewers with catcher Manny Pina and relief pitcher Josh Hader.

The members of the Topps MLB All-Star Rookie Team will have their 2018 flagship trading cards feature a “Rookie Cup” logo depicting the honor.

Past honorees of the Topps MLB All-Star Rookie Team have included former MVPs such as Buster Posey, Ichiro, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Cal Ripken Jr. In addition, more than 20 former Topps MLB All-Star Rookie Team members have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame including all three 2017 HOF inductees Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez.


Here's the full list of the 2017 Topps All-Star Rookie Team:
C – Manny Pina, Brewers
1B – Cody Bellinger, Dodgers
2B – Ian Happ, Cubs
SS – Paul DeJong, Cardinals
3B – Rafael Devers, Red Sox
OF – Aaron Judge, Yankees
OF – Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox
OF – Trey Mancini, Orioles
RHP – German Marquez, Rockies
LHP – Jordan Montgomery, Yankees
RP – Josh Hader, Brewers\

IBWAA SELECTS KLUBER, SCHERZER IN CY YOUNG VOTE

IBWAA SELECTS KLUBER, SCHERZER IN CY YOUNG VOTE
 
Los Angeles – The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) announced the winners in its Cy Young category Wednesday, with the Cleveland Indians’ Corey Kluber winning the group’s American League prize, and Max Scherzer, of the Washington Nationals, being selected in the National League, both for the second consecutive year.
 
Kluber received 118 first-place votes (80.27%) and 942 points while being named on all 146 ballots. Others receiving first-place votes include Chris Sale (29).
 
Scherzer received 91 first place votes (61.90%) and 846 points while being named on 146 of 147 ballots (99.32%). Others receiving first-place votes include Clayton Kershaw (50), Zack Greinke (2) and Corey Knebel (2).
 
Election results are as follows:
 
AL Cy Young:
 
1st Place:                  Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians – 942 points
2nd Place:                 
Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox – 653
3rd Place:                  
Luis Severino, New York Yankees – 328
4th Place:                 Carlos Carassco, Cleveland Indians – 178
5th Place:                 Justin Verlander, Houston Astros – 129
 
NL Cy Young:
 
1st Place:                  Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals – 846 points
2nd Place:                 
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers – 658 
3rd Place
:                  Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks – 323
4th Place:                 Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals – 276
5th Place:                 Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals – 127
 
Ballot tabulations by Brian Wittig & Associates, using the Borda Method.
 
The IBWAA was established July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Voting for full season awards takes place in September of each year, with selections being announced in November. The IBWAA also holds a Hall of Fame election in December of each year, with results being announced the following January.
 
Among others, IBWAA members include Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports; Craig Calcaterra, NBC Sports Hardball Talk; Bill Chuck, Billy-Ball.com; Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Jon Heyman and Jesse Spector, Today’s Knuckleball; Danny Knobler, Bleacher Report; Kevin Kennedy; Kostya Kennedy, Sports Illustrated; Brian Kenny, MLBN; Will Leitch, Sports on Earth; Bruce Markusen, Hardball Times; Ross Newhan; Dayn Perry and Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com; Tom Hoffarth and J.P. Hoornstra Los Angeles Daily News; Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times; Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com; Ken Rosenthal, TheAthletic.com; Eno Sarris, FanGraphs; David Schoenfield of ESPN.com; Jim Bowden and Bill Arnold.
 
Association membership is open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a $75 lifetime fee. Discounts for groups and scholarships are available. Members must be 18 years of age to apply.

For more information please visit 
www.ibwaa.com.

Contact:
 
Howard Cole
Founding Director, IBWAA
baseballsavvy@aol.com

IBWAA SELECTS FRANCONA, LOVULLO IN MANAGER OF THE YEAR VOTE

IBWAA SELECTS FRANCONA, LOVULLO IN MANAGER OF THE YEAR VOTE
 
Los Angeles – The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) announced the winners in its Manager of the Year category Tuesday, with the Cleveland Indians’ Terry Francona winning the group’s American League award, and Torey Lovullo, of the Arizona Diamondbacks, being selected in the National League.
 
Francona received 57 first-place votes (39.04%) and 468 points while being named on 134 of 146 ballots (91.16%). Others receiving first-place votes include Paul Molitor (64), A.J Hinch (13), Joe Girardi (9) and Mike Scoiscia (2).
 
Lovullo received 75 first-place votes (51.72%) and 477 points while being named on 121 of 145 ballots (82.31%). Others receiving first-place votes include Dave Roberts (27), Bud Black (14) and Dusty Baker (9).
 
Election results are as follows:
 
AL Manager:
 
1st Place:                  Terry Francona, Cleveland Indians – 468 points
2nd Place:                 Paul Molitor, Minnesota Twins 
– 421
3rd Place :                  
A.J. Hinch, Houston Astros – 247
 
NL Manager:
 
1st Place:                  Torey Lovullo , Arizona Diamondbacks – 477 points
2nd Place :                 
Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers – 250
3rd Place:                  Bud Black, Colorado Rockies – 218
 
Ballot tabulations by Brian Wittig & Associates, using the Borda Method.
 
The IBWAA was established July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Voting for full season awards takes place in September of each year, with selections being announced in November. The IBWAA also holds a Hall of Fame election in December of each year, with results being announced the following January.
 
Association membership is open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a $75 lifetime fee. Discounts for groups and scholarships are available. Members must be 18 years of age to apply.

For more information please visit 
www.ibwaa.com.

Contact:
 
Howard Cole
Founding Director, IBWAA
baseballsavvy@aol.com

This Day In New York Yankees History 11/16: Yankees,Yomiuri Giants & Hideki Matsui


On this day in 2002 the New York Yankees and the Japanese League Yomiuri Giants sign a deal that creates a partnership between the two biggest teams in their respected leagues. Both teams hope to benefit from improved scouting, marketing, and other benefits that will help both teams. Enter Hideki Matsui in 2003.