I was able to leave work early on Wednesday, so I was able to get to the park early enough to get some autographs before the game.

Tom Herr is back with the Barnstomers after a couple of years away from the organization, this time as a coach. He had a nice career with the Cardinals in the the 1980s before moving on to the Phillies and Mets to finish up.

You may not realize it if you just look at his career numbers, but Von Hayes was one of the big Phillies stars of the 1980s. He’s now in his second year as Lancaster’s manager.

Trey Hodges was a reliever for the 2002 and 2003 Atlanta Braves. He’s an Atlantic League newcomer this year.

Armando Benitez may be one of the most reviled figures in recent Mets history, but I was thrilled to get his autograph on my 2000 Subway Series card. I was impressed that he took the time to sign for everybody who asked. He still has a nice autograph, too.

After Braden Looper, Billy Wagner and especially Luis Ayala, I’m inclined to be forgiving of his past failures. It’s not as if he’s in a position to blow any more big games for the Mets. Benitez was incredibly talented; he was so dominant 90 percent of the time, but when he didn’t have it… ouch. I’m looking forward to seeing how well he does for the Bears.

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Ramon Castro

Newark’s roster re-shuffling continues. Shortstop Ramon Castro is now a part of the San Francisco Giants organization and the Diamondbacks’ organization picked up infielder Abraham Nunez.

Former ML pitcher Shawn Chacon has been restored to the active roster and former Giants and Phillies LHP Aaron Fultz was signed.

While there’s no mention of it on the Atlantic League website, I’m listening to the Bears/Bluefish broadcast while I’m typing this and former Texas Ranger Ramon Nivar — who was released Tuesday — is in the lineup for the Bears.

It’s going to be a lot of fun keeping up with the roster this season, it seems.