TABLE OF CONTENTS 2010 ALTOONA CURVE MEDIA & INFORMATION GUIDE The 2010 Altoona Curve Media & Information TABLE OF CONTENTS Guide is a publication of the Altoona Curve Com- munications Department. All information current ALTOONA CURVE FRANCHISE HISTORY ......................2-5 as of March 25, 2010. CLUB DIRECTORY .........................................................6 This publication was researched and written by Dan CURVE OWNERSHIP ..................................................7-8 Zangrilli and Mike Passanisi of the Altoona Curve 2010 ALTOONA CURVE ...........................................9-52 Communications Department. Layout, design and editing by Dan Zangrilli, Mike Passanisi and Bill Coaching Staff Profiles ....................................................... 10-11 Bettwy. Front cover design by Drew Miller. Player Bios ......................................................................... 12-52 CURVE HISTORY & RECORDS .................................53-82 Photos used in this publication provided by The Altoona Mirror, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Team Photogra- Year-By-Year Results/Postseason Results ................................ 54 pher Dave Arrigo, Altoona Curve Team Photogra- Year-By-Year Team Leaders ..................................................... 55 pher Jason Sipes, Lynchburg Hillcats Photographer John Mitchell and West Virginia Power Photogra- Annual Record Breakdown ....................................................... 56 pher Robin Black. Altoona Curve Players in the Major Leagues ...................... 57-58 All-Time Roster .................................................................. 59-61 Statistical information provided in part by Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM), 75 Retired Number: Adam Hyzdu ................................................. 62 Ninth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10011. Single Season/Game Records ............................................. 63-68 Top-5 Single Season Highs ................................................. 69-70 Printed by theprinters.com, 3500 East College Ave, Suite 1000, State College, PA, 16801, Phone: Opening Day Lineups .............................................................. 71 814.237.7600. Get more information at theprint- Year-By-Year ....................................................................... 72-82 ers.com. THE EASTERN LEAGUE ...........................................83-92 Special thanks to Kyle Stark and Diane DePasquale 2010 E.L. Umpires/Mileage Chart ............................................ 84 of the Pirates’ Baseball Operations Department 2009 Eastern League Review ................................................... 85 for their assistance. 2010 Curve Opponents ....................................................... 86-91 Further information on the 2010 Altoona Curve Eastern League Information .................................................... 91 is available through the Curve Media Relations 2010 Eastern League All Star Game ........................................ 92 Department by calling (814) 283-3118 or by visit- PIRATES ORGANIZATION ......................................93-96 ing www.altoonacurve.com. Pirates Directory ..................................................................... 94 © 2010 Lozinak Professional Baseball, LLC 2009 Organizational Leaders/Summary .................................. 95 2010 Filler Content Pirates Affiliates ................................................................ 95-96 Team MVPs ......................15 B.A. Top-30/Tools .............39 GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................... 97-106 Longest Game .................20 Pirates Minors Players Curve Attendance ............................................................... 98-99 Grand Slam Trivia ............24 of the Year ......................40 Triple Plays .....................26 Curve Name ....................42 Blair County Ballpark ............................................................ 100 2006 All-Star Game .........29 Homer Happy Curve ........43 Curve Ticket Information ....................................................... 101 Pirates E.L. Affiliates .......32 Grand Slams To Date .......46 2010 Broadcasting Information ...................................... 102-103 Postseason All-Stars ........34 Pitchers Going Deep ........51 Directions/Pregame Schedule/Etc. ......................................... 104 First Game .......................35 Curve Futures Game ........52 Media Policies ....................................................................... 105 ALTOONACURVE.COM 1 TEAM HISTORY ALTOONA CURVE: A BRIEF HISTORY Success of Franchise Began Early and Continues Strong The dream of one native son that began decades ago has not only become a reality, but is about to enter its 12th season in 2010. The story of the Altoona Curve begins in 1979. Area native Bob Lozinak, a successful McDonald’s franchisee, knew his hometown was a baseball haven and always dreamed of what it would be like to have a professional sports team in his hometown. He had a chance to make a dream of many come to fruition, so as the 1970s were about to come to a close, a series of meetings and preliminary discussions took place to put the plan into motion. However, there was enough opposition that thwarted the idea as an initial fear from natives was that a professional team would hurt the successful youth teams in the region. Professional baseball, for the time being, was put on the back burner. The future site of Blair County Ballpark with nearby Lakemont Park in the distance. In the meantime, that same year, Bob and his family went across the country and bought what became one of the most successful franchises in the entire country - the Albuquerque Dukes, the long time Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fast forward 16 years. Like many other decisions in baseball, the latest round of major league expansion had a domino effect on the minor leagues. In 1995, Arizona and Tampa Bay were awarded major league franchises to play their inaugural season in 1998. To keep pace, baseball’s rookie level added two teams in 1996. The fol- lowing year, Class ‘A’ and Class ‘AAA’ each increased by two teams. That left only Class ‘AA’ in need of expansion to match the number of teams in the big leagues. In 1997, the National Association of Profes- sional Baseball Leagues, as it was then called, decided the Eastern League would receive the two new franchises to start play in 1999. Erie was an easy first choice of the NAPBL’s expansion committee. After all, the SeaWolves had established short-season attendance records in the new Uht Park as part of the New York-Penn League from 1995-98. The awarding of the second franchise wasn’t easy. For months, it seemed Groundbreaking ceremonies, March 7, 1998 Springfield, Massachusetts would land the team. However, an inability to finalize land and stadium finance deals left the NAPBL looking for another option. Enter Altoona. City native Bob Lozinak and a group of Pennsylvania lawmakers put together an 11th hour stadium financing package and site plan. The proposal was presented to the expansion committee at an October 5, 1997 meeting in Las Vegas. It received unanimous approval and Double-A baseball was on its way to Altoona. Ballpark ground breaking ceremonies took place on March 7, 1998 and the franchise was officially awarded the following month. In June of that year, the team selected “Curve” as its nickname. The combination railroad/baseball moniker beat out several choices like “Lake Monsters,” “Ridge Runners” and, believe it or not, “Fish!” The next step for the Curve was affiliating with a major league team. Erie seemed to have an inside track on becoming the Pirates’ new Double-A club, as the SeaWolves had served as Pitts- burgh’s short-season club from 1995-98. However, after a series of meetings with potential major league parent clubs, the Curve landed the coveted affiliation with the Pirates. The September New Curve owner Bob Lozinak dons his Pirates jacket at 1998 announcement took the franchise to another level as the U.S. the press conference announcing what has become one Route 22 pairing seemed an ideal fit. Central Pennsylvania fans, of the longest and most successful affiliations between a with their strong Pirates’ roots, could now cheer for the Bucs’ top minor league franchise and a major league parent club. prospects on their way to Pittsburgh. 2 2010 ALTOONA CURVE MEDIA & INFORMATION GUIDE TEAM HISTORY The long-awaited first game in Curve history took place on April 9, 1999 in Reading, Pa. The game against the Phillies’ affiliate was suspended by rain and completed the next day as part of a doubleheader. For the record, the Curve lost its first contest, 6-2, but recorded its first win hours later with a 6-4 decision in game two of the twinbill. Finally, the Curve christened BCB on April 15 with a triumph over the Bowie Baysox. A huge crowd of 6,171 attended the history- making contest despite cold, rainy weather and nearly a one-hour delay. Blair County Ballpark ribbon cutting, April 15, 1999. After three remarkable seasons, the Lozinak family sold the franchise to a group headed by Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg on April 2, 2002. Among the limited partners in Greenberg’s collective: Pittsburgh Penguins’ owner, star center and NHL Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux; Pittsburgh Steelers’ all-pro running back Jerome Bettis; Altoona-based busi- nessmen Steve Sheetz and Don Devorris. Todd Parnell would be tabbed as the team’s new General