Today’s (slightly late) edition of Minor League Mondays is dedicated to the 2006 Newark Bears.
In his second year managing the independent Atlantic League team, former New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Chris Jones led his squad to a 42-83 record. For the second year in a row, Newark won a walk-off victory on opening night… and again it turned out to be one of the few highlights of the season. Continue reading “Minor League Mondays: 2006 Newark Bears team set review”
The Newark Bears played in the Atlantic League for 12 seasons, and will begin their second in the Can-Am League this May. While the City of Newark’s baseball legacy is recognized at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, there is little evidence of the history of the current incarnation of the Bears – just a pair of banners recognizing their 2002 and 2007 Atlantic League championships.
The Newark Bears have had some famous players wear their uniform over the years: Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, the infamous Jose Canseco, 2004 Boston Red Sox closer Keith Foulke, former New York Mets stars Edgardo Alfonzo and Armando Benitez and a number of others.
While it’s clear that Henderson is the best baseball player to appear in a game for the Newark Bears, it’s not as easy to say who was the best Newark Bears player in franchise history. Henderson is definitely in the running – in 147 games for Newark in 2003 and 2004, he hit .302 with 17 home runs, 64 RBI and 46 stolen bases.
Jose Canseco didn’t spend that long in Newark, and he didn’t put up a lot of big numbers. His brother Ozzie is a different story. In 2000, Ozzie Canseco hit .299 with 48 home runs and 129 RBI in 138 games. The team added a second level of netting beyond the left field wall because his home runs kept ending up clearing the ballpark and landing in the road, according to stories I’ve heard from fans who were going to games then.
Continue reading “Newark Bears Notebook: Who’s the best player in team history?”
Here are a few interesting items to look at while trying to forget about disappointing Mets loss #21:
• The Long Island Ducks announced their 2010 coaching staff on Tuesday. To no one’s surprise, Dave LaPoint will return to manage the team. Kevin Baez will be back as infield coach, and Buddy Harrelson will continue as the team’s part-time first base coach.
Ducks’ all-time saves leader Bill Simas joins the staff as the team’s pitching coach. Simas was 5-4 with a 2.76 ERA and 27 saves for Long Island last year. I wonder if he’s really done pitching or if he’ll find a way back onto the roster at some point this summer.
• The York Revolution announced three more player signings on Thursday, including a pair of Atlantic League veterans.
I don’t usually pay too much attention to the Atlantic League between the end of the season and New Years, but after the holidays there’s usually some news.
Newark Bears
PaulHadsall.com 