With other independent leagues opening their schedule today (American Association) and tomorrow (Northern League) plus one already underway (Atlantic League), I thought today would be a good day to examine where some former Beach Bums players are making their home in 2009 as teams have now set their rosters...I tried to find as many pictures as I could...
Weston Curles - Kansas City T-Bones (Northern League)
Released by the Beach Bums after being used as a starter in 2008, Curles has landed on the staff of the defending Northern League Champs...
Ryan Gehring - Joliet JackHammers (Northern League)
Initially signed for 2009 by the Beach Bums, was traded to Joliet to complete the deal that brought David Nathanson back in 2008...Will be in the rotation...
Mike Reese - Gary Southshore Railcats (Northern League)
The first player signed by the Beach Bums in 2006 who owns several franchise firsts...Presently on the inactive list for Gary, where he has spent the past two summers primarily as a DH...
Steve Shippey - Schaumburg Flyers (Northern League)
Spent 2006 and part of 2007 with the Beach Bums before being released and signing with Kalamazoo...Aged out of the Frontier League after 2007 and signed in the Northern League, struggling but making every start...Likely to be in the rotation again in 2009...
Tom Thornton - Gary Southshore Railcats (Northern League)
Was with the Beach Bums at the end of the 2007 season...Spent most of 2008 on injured reserve with the Evansville Otters after signing as a free agent but recovered to return late...Was flawless in the spring for Gary and may be in their rotation finally fully healthy...
Hunter Davis - Pensacola Pelicans (American Association)
A Beach Bum in 2006, Davis has spent time in the Rays system in addition to other independent teams and will again be in Pensacola...
Aaron Garza - Grand Prarie AirHogs (American Association)
Set a single season homerun record in 2007 (Tied by Kyle Maunus last season) with 10 for the Beach Bums after signing out of college for the second half of the season...Traded to the AirHogs in 2008 and spent that season as a starting outfielder in his home state...
Tyler Meigs - Sioux City Explorers (American Association)
Picked up in a trade with Chillicothe in 2007, Meigs served as the closer for the Beach Bums for the remainder of that campaign, setting a then single season and career record for saves...Traded to Joliet of the Northern League in 2008 with David Nathanson for Jake Whitesides...Was a Northern League All-Star...Should be at the back of the pen for the X's...
Shaun Parker - Camden RiverSharks (Atlantic League)
Roommate of Justin Holmes as a starting pitcher with the Beach Bums in 2006...Battled injuries, latched on with Rockford in 2007, got hurt and hasn't pitched before this season...May not last much longer as in just 1.1 innings has an ERA of 33.75 with five walks...
Jeff Vincent - Camden RiverSharks (Atlantic League)
Began 2007 with the Beach Bums and homered in the first two games of the season before being dealt to Gateway and eventually to Chillicothe, where he spent 2008...Is mainly a fourth outfielder in the Atlantic League, currently batting .231 in eight games with two RBI and two stolen bases...
I will keep tab on these and other former players throughout the season during broadcasts...
PHOTOS
Pictured in game action with the Beach Bums are Weston Curles (2008); Ryan Gehring (2006-2008); Tom Thornton (2007); Aaron Garza (2007); Tyler Meigs (2007)
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