FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                              Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
April 22, 2008                                                                                        815-774-2881

                                                                        jversteeg@jackhammerbaseball.com

 

“BIG PAPPA” RETURNS TO JOLIET

Diaz Signs for the 2008 Season

 

JOLIET-The 2008 Joliet JackHammers lineup is continuing to take shape with the addition of 1B/DH Juan Diaz. The prolific slugger returns for his second season in the league after a 2007 campaign where he led the NL in three different offensive categories: home runs (28), slugging percentage (.632) and total bases (405). The JackHammers begin their 2008 home schedule on Friday, May 23 at 7:05 p.m. against the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Harris Bank Opening Night at Silver Cross Field.

 

“I’m going to try and help this team make a run at the playoffs,” said Diaz, who hit his 200^th minor league home run on August 29, 2007 and was one of only two JackHammers that played in all 96 games a year ago.

 

“I think it’s a good investment on our part,” added JackHammers manager Wally Backman. “He’s a fan favorite, plus he’s going to be in the middle of the order driving guys in.”

 

In addition to leading the Northern League in home runs, Diaz also finished second in batting average (.358) and sixth in RBIs (80). He contended for the Northern League Triple Crown but finished but could not catch a pair of Calgary Vipers. Darryl Brinkley (.399) won the batting title and Jason Colson (89 RBI) drove in the most runs.

 

Diaz’s career in professional baseball dates back to the 1996 season, when he was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played in four games with the Boston Red Sox in 2002.

 

Loose Gravel: The JackHammers also signed RHP Aaron Trolia to a 2008 contract. He is native of University Place, WA and comes to Joliet after spending the last four seasons primarily in the Seattle Mariners system. A career reliever, he split 2007 between West Tennessee (Mariners, AA) and El Paso (American Association, Independent).

 

The JackHammers currently have full season seats, mini-plan packages, individual tickets and group outings available for the 2008 season. To purchase tickets, or for more information, give the JackHammers Ticket Department a call at (815) 726-BALL (2255), visit the JackHammers website at www.jackhammerbaseball.com or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.

 

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