New Mets autograph collection additions
I was able to add a pair of autographs to my Mets collection last night at the Newark Bears home opener.
Newark’s new manager for 2013 is Garry Templeton, who finished his major league playing career with the 1991 New York Mets. He was much better known as a St. Louis Cardinal (where he was a two-time All-Star) and a San Diego Padre (where he played for 10 seasons and made his final All-Star appearance in 1985.)
The Rockland Boulders’ new pitching coach is Bobby M. Jones, the left-handed reliever who played for the New York Mets in 2000 and 2002. Jones also appeared in three early-season games for the 2004 Boston Red Sox, but spent most of his major league playing career with the Colorado Rockies.
(Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
The Bears lost the game 3-1, with their batters striking out 16 times. It seemed like the team was practicing the same hitting batting philosophy as the Mets do these days – run up the opponents’ pitch count in expectation of it leading to better scoring chances. Continue reading →
Newark Bears begin 2013 season
Riverfront Stadium (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
The Newark Bears opened the 2013 Can-Am League season with a 6-4 loss to the Rockland Boulders on Thursday night. Newark’s Mike Ness allowed five runs on six hits and a walk over six innings, but three of those six hits were home runs. D’Angelo Jimenez was the star of the game for the Bears, putting together a three-hit night and driving in a pair of runs while scoring one.
On Friday, the Bears will kick off their home schedule and try to even things up with the Boulders at 7:05 p.m. at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. Former Negro League pitcher Bob Scott is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, the first 200 fans will get a free Newark Bears cap and a post-game fireworks show.
I don’t know how many games I will be able to get to this summer, but I plan to be there for Opening Night. I hope to see a few of you at the ballpark.
[Press Release] Newark Bears Looking for Local Dancers, Singers and Other Talents on March 16
The 2012 Honey Bears dancers (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
On March 16, the Newark Bears are searching for some of the top talents in New Jersey from singers and dancers to spokesmodels, mascots, play-by-play announcers and on-field hosts!
This is your chance to show the world that you’re a star! Impress the judges, and you could be a member of the Honey Bears Dance Team, a play-by-play broadcaster, on-field host or you may even be singing your rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium!
If you are an aspiring model, you could be in front of the camera at photo and video shoots promoting the Newark Bears. Always the life of the party? You could wear the costume of one of our legendary mascots, Ruppert and Effa.
The auditions will take place at 12 p.m.
Open positions:
- Honey Bears Dance Team (ages 16-30) and Bearettes (ages 5-15)
- National Anthem Singers
- Spokesmodels
- Team Mascots
- Play-by-Play Announcers
- On-Field Host
For more information, visit www.newarkbears.com.
Odds & Ends: Own the Newark Bears for a day, buy Trenton Thunder 20th season merchandise & see who’s managing the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2013
A night game at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium {Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
The Newark Bears are offering some fans the chance to be “team owner for a day” if they win a contest, according to an email they sent out last week.
The Bears are looking for sharp, business-savvy, creative individuals (and perhaps, future baseball executives) that will help us pack Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium! Work hand-in-hand with the Bears’ front office and plan a game at our ballpark YOUR way….
Applicants must provide: Full name, company name (if applies), mailing address, phone number, email address, website(s) and social media site(s), full DOB, a recent head shot, resume, prepare a brief description of why you think you would be the best owner of the day (200 words or less) and a brief projected outline of how you would plan your special day if chosen. Deadline for submissions is March 11, 2013 at 12 p.m. All required information must be properly submitted within one email.
To apply or ask for more information, email info@newarkbears.com. It seems like it’s going to be The Apprentice without Donald Trump and the television cameras instead of the typical baseball contest. Good luck to anyone who decides to enter.
The Bears also plan to hold a press conference to formally announce Garry Templeteon as the team’s manager for 2013 this week.
The scoreboard at MCU Park (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
In other recent news about local teams:
- The Brooklyn Cyclones announced that their 2012 coaching staff will return intact in 2013. Rich Donnelly will manage the club, with Marc Valdes serving as pitching coach and Bobby Malek handling the hitting coach duties. Speaking as someone who just goes to one or two Cyclones games per year, I miss the days when someone like Wally Backman or Frank Viola was on the coaching staff.
- The Trenton Thunder has some new 20th Season merchandise in their online store. I’m hoping there will be some caps and/or pins by the time the season begins.
Newark Bears reschedule job fair
Photo credit: Paul Hadsall
The Newark Bears announced today that the job fair originally scheduled for Saturday, February 9th has been postponed until Saturday, February 16th because of the anticipated snowstorm.
For additional information, visit the team’s website.
And if you’re in the path of the storm, please be careful and stay safe.
More on the Newark Bears’ new players
The Newark Bears acquired a pair of veteran players today (team press release here)
Riverfront Stadium (Photo credit: Paul Hadsall)
Of potential interest to fans, both players actually have baseball cards.
Jamar Walton appeared in the 2004 Bowman Draft set (#56), 2004 Donruss Elite Extra Edition (#352), 2004 SP Prospects (#397) and 2005 Just Stars (#58). Each set has a slew of parallels, so Mr. Walton has quite a few pieces of cardboard bearing his likeness. The coolest one has to be an insert, limited to 50 copies, from the 2004 SP Prospects set. Walton shares the card with former Marlins Taylor Tankersley and Dontrelle Willis, and all three signed it (or, knowing Upper Deck, stickers that are affixed to the actual card.)
J.J. Sherrill only has one baseball card, not counting minor league team sets: 2000 Royal Rookies #38. (There is also a signed version, so if you track it down and then get his autograph at the ballpark this year you can find out how much his signature has changed over the past 13 years.)
Can-Am League roster rules let teams sign four veterans, so with these new additions the Bears are at their limit. Closer Jorge Vasquez is the only member of the team with any major league experience – two games with the 2004 Kansas City Royals and seven games with the 2005 Atlanta Braves. (The team’s fourth veteran is catcher Orlando Mercado.)
I’m hoping that Sherrill might turn out to be a Quentin Davis-type player for this year’s team. Just looking at the stats, I’m not sure what Walton brings to the table.
But it’s only February 4th, and smart fans are not paying any attention to Can-Am League rosters yet. A lot can and will happen between now and the start of training camp and the beginning of the season.
