attachment: Scott Patterson picture courtesy Action Imaging

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2008

REPORT: FORMER GRIZZLIES RIGHT-HANDER SCOTT PATTERSON TO BE CALLED UP BY YANKEES TODAY

New York Daily News reporter Mark Feinsand is reporting on his blog at www.nydailynews.com that former Grizzlies right-hander Scott Patterson will be called up today by the New York Yankees.

Patterson would become the first former Grizzlies player to make the Major Leagues.

Patterson was the final player sent to the minor leagues this year by the Yankees following Spring Training.  He has spent the entire season at Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.  In 22 appearances for the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees Patterson is 1-0 with three saves.  In 23.2 innings he has 22 strikeouts and just five walks.  He has given up eight earned runs on 22 hits.

Following a collegiate career at West Virginia State University, the Oakdale, PA native made his professional debut with the Grizzlies July 4, 2002 pitching one inning against the River City Rascals.  He finished that year 2-2 with a save.  Patterson went on to start for the Grizzlies through the 2004 season with the Grizzlies.  He was dealt to Lancaster of the Atlantic League in 2005.  He returned to the Grizzlies after the All-Star break that year and had a 1-1 record and nine saves in 19 appearances for Gateway.

Patterson amassed a total record of 22-8 with 10 saves in parts of four seasons in a Grizzlies uniform.  He was 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA during the Grizzlies championship season in 2003.  Patterson owns the single-season strikeout record of 120 in both 2003 and 2004.  He is the Grizzlies all-time strikeout leader with 332 career punchouts.  He is also the club's leader in appearances with 72.  His three shutouts is also a franchise record.

Mark Feinsand's blog appears at http://www.nydailynews.com:80/blogs/yankees/2008/06/source-yanks-to-call-up-patter.html

The Grizzlies 2008 season is underway.  They are currently 3-8 and in sixth place in the Frontier League's West Division. 

Tickets are on sale and are available by calling the Grizzlies at 618-337-3000 or visiting the GCS Ballpark ticket office in person.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Pott in the Grizzlies office by calling 618-337-3000.