FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                     Media Contact: Jon Versteeg
July 4, 2008                                                                                             860-309-9293 cell

                                                                                jversteeg@jackhammerbaseball.com

 

JACKHAMMERS WELCOME BACK BLACKMON, JR

Catcher Re-Joins Joliet after Starting 2008 at High A Lancaster of the Red Sox Organization

 

JOLIET, IL-The Joliet JackHammers have re-signed catcher Dennis Blackmon, Jr. to a contract. Blackmon, Jr. started his career with the JackHammers in 2006 after being signed out of the Northern League tryout camp. He returns to Joliet after the Boston Red Sox purchased his contract in October, 2007 and sent him to High A Lancaster of the California League. He hit .286 with three home runs and 17 RBI in just 29 games played for the JetHawks.

 

“I’m excited to get Blackmon back into a Joliet uniform,” said JackHammers manager Wally Backman. “Unfortunately Dennis did not get a chance to play every day with Boston. Hopefully, he can continue his development with the JackHammers.”

 

Blackmon, Jr. hit .289 with nine home runs and 40 RBI with the JackHammers in 2007. He was a Northern League All-Star and played in 81 games. Originally from Clayton, North Carolina; Blackmon, Jr. played college baseball at Division II Barton (NC) College.

 

The JackHammers released LHP Craig Pfautz to make room for Blackmon, Jr. on the roster. He is 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in 14 games with Joliet.

 

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