Jersey Shore Magazine

J e r s e y s h o r e • S p r i n g 2 0 1 7 6 Malloy, who managed the Gulf Coast League Astros for the past three years. He will join pitching coach Brian Sweeney, hitting coach Nelson Prada, and trainer Takayuki Sakurai, all three of whom were with the BlueClaws organization in 2016. The BlueClaws are three-time South Atlantic League champions, having won the league pennant during the 2006, 2009, and 2010 seasons. 2016 marked the first time since 2010 that the BlueClaws made the South Atlantic League playoffs. Giombarrese stated, "We ended up falling two games short of winning the league title, but we had a great year." The first overall pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft is expect- ed to play right here at the Jersey Shore—the BlueClaws hope Phillies outfielder Mickey Moniak will take the field this season. "That will be very exciting if it works out where we get him," said Giombarrese, high- lighting another historic first for the BlueClaws. As each BlueClaw player takes the field in 2017, fans will be wondering, "Will he be the next one to make it?" Coined "From the Shore to the Show," seventy BlueClaws players have made it from the Jersey Shore stadium to playing in the majors. "Most of them debuted with the Phillies, but not all of them. One example is Mets catcher Travis d'Ar- naud, who played here in 2009," said Giombarrese. Two Phillies legends (and 2008 World Series Champions) started their careers right here at the Jersey Shore before making it big in the major leagues. Ryan Howard, the BlueClaws first baseman during the 2002 season, was the first player to move up and play at the major league level with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2005 and National League Most Valuable Player for the 2006 season. Howard's BlueClaws jersey number 29 was retired by the team in 2010. Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, the 2008 World Series Most Valuable Player, also got his start with the BlueClaws in 2003. His BlueClaws number 19 was retired in 2014. Over the years, BlueClaws fans have seen notable major league play- ers in Lakewood. Some were on a rehab assignment, including Pedro Martinez, Shane Victorino, and Roy Halladay. Others were former BlueClaws minor league opponents, like the Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who used to play for the minor league's Hagerstown Suns. Year after year, the roster is full of hard-working players with outstand- ing talent. Since 2001, twelve play- ers and two managers have had the honor of being selected for the South Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star Team, while fifty-six players have been chosen for the annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Perhaps the highest honor a player can receive is being selected for the All-Star Futures Game, a special game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB), which highlights future tal- ent and is a part of MLB's annual All-Star Weekend. Three BlueClaws players were selected for the Futures Every Day is a Great Day at a BlueClaws Game! BEACHCOMBER " L et u s ta k e a j o u r ne y do w n t he S hore to see w h at w e can f i n d …" S ummer and the Jersey Shore go hand in hand, yet you might not know one of the shore's best kept secrets: spending a great day at the ballpark with the Lakewood BlueClaws. The single "A" affiliate minor league baseball team of the Philadelphia Phillies (one of seven teams in the South Atlantic League Northern Division) have called the Jersey Shore home for the past seven- teen years. The BlueClaws sets the bar for all-around fun, and other minor and major league ball clubs follow their lead. A BlueClaws game is more than a nine-inning matchup between two baseball teams. "We are all about affordable family entertain- ment. That's been our major focus since we began in 2001," said Greg Giombarrese, Director of Media Relations. In addition to a game filled with top-notch talent and a concourse filled with food vendors, fans also enjoy on and off field pro- motions, theme nights, giveaways, and new this year, Saturday night concerts. The Talent Looking at the 2017 roster, the Lakewood BlueClaws are excited to welcome new manager Marty courtesy of Lakewood BlueClaws Fans rooting for the home team this season will see returning third baseman Jan Hernandez (left) and left fielder Cornelius Randolph (right) in action.

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