THE PERFECT
SLIDER Proud Champion Partners of the Stockton Ports Since 2005.
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Weekly Specials 2 Buck Mondays: $2 Tickets, Hot Dogs and Sodas
Scholarshare Family Pack Tuesdays: 4 FB Tickets, Tacos and Sodas for $40
Table of Contents 4 5 6 10 13 14 16 18 24 26 27 28
Front Office Q&A 2014 Playoff Scenerio Stadium Map Season Ticket Holder Spotlight Ports Roster Visiting Team Roster Scorecards Player Biographies Cancer Surivor - Julia Homestand Special Community Corner August Promotions
Game Promotions:
SCAN Silver Slugger Wednesdays:
SCAN Silver Sluggers receive free admission and all fans get to play Baseball Bingo Sponsored by Food 4 Less.
Thirsty Thursday:
$2 Beer & Sodas until 8pm (Excludes Opening Night 4-10 & 7-03)
Subway Kids’ Club & MetroPCS Sundays:
Subway Kids’ Club members receive free admission. Visit any of the following MetroPCS locations to pick up your Home Run Hill $1 ticket voucher for any Sunday games.
MetroPCS Locations:
905 W. March Lane, Stockton 1010 E. Hammer Lane, Stockton 3310 N. Tracy Blvd, Tracy 550 S. Cherokee Lane, Lodi
PINK NIGHT FIREWORKS - JERSEY AUCTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT 7:05PM FOOD 4 LESS & RANCHO SAN MIGUEL MARKETS ST. JOSEPH’S MEDICAL CENTER
WELCOME MAT GIVEAWAY (FIRST 1,000) SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 AT 7:05PM REALTY WORLD PREMIER ASSOCIATES
SPLASH’S BIRTHDAY SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 AT 6:05PM
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Get to Know the Ports’ Front Office Q&A If you could be any Professional Athlete, who would it be?”
Pat filippone
Bryan Meadows
President
assistant general manager
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
Big Papi david ortiz
Yu Darvish
Tim pollack
taylor mccarthy
director of tickets
director of Marketing
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
Jordan Spieth
Johnny Manziel aka Johnny Football
aaron morales
lisa peterson
Corporate Partnerships and inside sales manager
ANSWER:
account executive
ANSWER:
Nastia Liukin
kellie ryan
Dustin coder
Michael Jordan
community relations manager
box office manager
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
Lindsay Davenport
Mark Fanta
maxwell bochman
graphic designer & social media manager
operations manager
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
kevin love
bartolo colon
adam fremd
greg bell
group sales manager
sponsorship & ticket sales executive
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon “Bones” Jones
Addison Russell
zack bayrouty
Deborah pelletier
broadcaster
front office manager
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
Tom Brady
Misty May-Treanor
vang hang
mike conway
finance manager
p.a. announcer
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
Lebron James
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jamaal charles
Wade Kirkland
Ports 2014 Playoff Scenario
BY TAYLOR McCARTHY
With the regular season drawing to a close, a variety of different scenarios could potentially play out for the young and talented 2014 Stockton Ports. After finishing the first half of the 2014 season in second place of the California North Division behind the Bakersfield Blaze with a 37-33 record, the Ports have been one of the hottest teams in the California League. Thanks to contributions from rising stars within the Athletics organizations such as Matt Olson, Daniel Robertson, Renato Nunez and several others; the Ports quickly rose to the top of the Cal North division standings in the second half of the season. As of July 28th, the Ports currently sit in first place of the North division ahead of the San Jose Giants by 2 games with a 22-14 record. If Stockton were to finish the second half of the season in first place of the division, they would automatically clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2012. In the Wild Card picture, the Ports sit in first place, 4 games ahead of the Visalia Rawhide and 5 ahead of the Giants with an overall record of 59-47 (record as of 7/28). With the Blaze and JetHawks both winning a first half division championship, this leaves a total of 4 playoff spots remaining. The next two spots will be given to the second half division champions of the North and South. The last two playoff spots will go to the wild card recipients in each division (the team that did not clinch a first or second half division championship but has the overall remaining best record in the division). The final day of the 2014 regular season is scheduled for Monday, September 1st with the following Tuesday being used to schedule any potential tie breaker games. Each division will have a Mini-Series (best of three) starting September 3rd which will feature the second half division champion against the #3 seed. If the season ended today, that would mean the Ports would be taking on the Visalia Rawhide. The winner of the Mini-Series will then take on the first half divisional champion in the best of five series. Finally, the 2014 California League Championship series will begin Thursday, September 11th in the best of five series in a 2-3 format meaning the North Division team will play their first two games of the series at home and the remaining three on the road at the South Division opponent’s ballpark.
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Stadium Map MAIN ENTRANCE
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Port of Stockton Guest Services
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Ports Team Store
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Away Dugout
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Mo
ns ter
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Wa ll
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p
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pen s Bull
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Stock ton P ort
l hoo r Sc rte ages a h C ta C ng Del Batti
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Pit Sto
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Visitor ’s Bull pen
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gout Ports Du
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BBQ
Suites
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Club
Woodbridge Cafe
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MetroPCS Home Run Hill
Jackson Rancheria Back Porch
MetroPCS Home Run Hill
sions
EN
ss Tra nsmis
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Expre
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SCOUT SEATS SEC A-AAA PREMIER STAFFING CLUB SEC 214-216 MVP BOX SEC 105-116 FIELD BOX SEC 100-104, 117-121 METROPCS HOME RUN HILL
SJC Foster and Adoption Kids’ Zone
Tecate Cantina
Section 101 Burritos, Taco Salads, Specialty Nachos, Quesadillas, Peanuts, Seeds, Candy, Frozen Margaritas, Wine, Beer, Soda, Bottled Water
3rd Base Express
Section 108 Hot Dogs, Sausages, Peanuts, Seeds, Candy, Beer, Wine, Slushy, Soda, Bottled Water
First Base
Section 215 A selection of Woodbridge Wine, Chicken Wraps, Asian Chicken Wraps, Chicken Caesar Salad, Fruit Cups, Peanuts, Candy, Frozen Margaritas, Beer, Soda, Bottled Water, Wedge Salad
Casey’s Corner
(Right Field Grill) Section 120 Hamburgers, Nachos Grande, Frito Pie, Chili Cheese Fries, French Fries, Peanuts, Seeds, Home Plate Grill Candy, Beer, Wine, Frozen Section 110 Margaritas, Soda, Bottled Water, Hot Dogs, Chicken Breast Pretzel Burger, Turkey Burger, Sandwiches, Chicken Tenders, Chili Cheese Fries, French Fries, Buffalo Popcorn Chicken, Fried Nachos Grande, Peanuts, Beer, Pickles (Frickles) Popcorn, Seeds, Candy, Wine, Slush Puppies, Soda, Bottle Jackson Rancheria Water, Pretzel Dogs, Chips, Back Porch 7th Inning Deep Fried Dessert, MetroPCS Home Run Hill, Kids Tray Jumbo Hot Dogs, Kids Tray, Nachos, Chili Dogs, Popcorn Peanuts, Seeds, Candy, Slush Ports Terrace Puppies, Beer, Wine, Soda, Funnel Cakes & Snow Cones Bottled Water, Ice Cream Waffle & Sugar Cones 6
New This Year
Centerfield Brews & Grill Centerfield BaseBall-Tip Sandwich, Centerfield 1/2 Pound Burger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Bratwurst Burger, Hot Link Sausage Bottled Beer
Pretzel Cart - Section 118 Asparagus Cart - Section 117 Fried PB&J, Asparagus, Fried Tomatoes, Fried Apples (Frapples) Dip N Dots - Section 118 Sausage Cart - Section 119 Churros, Corndogs, Tater Tots and Candy Tent - Section 120 “Volcano Splash” Coffee Cart behind the Premier Staffing Club Tim’s Chips available at all stands
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May 20-22 Banner Island Ballpark
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Season Ticket Holder Spotlight
Cindy Christian This article is about an amazing wife, mother, and friend. She epitomizes the word perseverance. Cindy was diagnosed not one, not twice, but three times with the dreadful disease we know as cancer. I was going to try and put this article into my own words, but I knew I couldn’t do it justice. This is my wife Cindy’s story in her own words: The first time I was diagnosed was in 1996 with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for which I underwent 41 Radiation treatments: 8 weeks total, Monday thru Friday. They mark you on certain areas of your body so when you go in for your radiation, they radiate the exact same spot each time. For me, they permanently tattooed the markings on my body, and they would make my markings larger with a black Sharpie so they can see them better. Have you ever smelled a burning sharpie? I have 41 times. I couldn’t be around the smell of a sharpie for months after I finished treatment. My my jaw would lock up. I lost my taste buds. My saliva gland dried up. My esophagus was burnt, and swallowing food was excruciating. My neck and ear got burnt from the sun, and my skin cracked and bled. The second time would be in 1997 where the Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was back, but this time there was no radiation option because I received the maximum lifetime doses in 1996. I had to endure a 7 month Chemotherapy regiment, one every other Friday for 3-5 hours each time. Your veins collapse after each time, and it leaves you looking bruised. Imagine having the flu for 7+ months straight... you’re tired, your body aches, your stomach is nauseous, and you feel like crap. You are so tried and fatigued, but you can’t sleep because your body aches so badly. You lose your hair, your toe nails; yes I said toe nails. It really sucks!! The third and most recent was in 2010 when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer for which I had to undergo a double mastectomy and 7 additional surgeries during that year alone! There were a few more the following year. Why so many? After the double mastectomy, my skin, because of radiation 15 years ago, was com-
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BY PATRICK CHISTIAN promised. Basically means that it only heals at half the rate of non-radiated skin. So, what happens to skin when it doesn’t heal correctly? It dies. Blood tests, CT Scans, Lymph angiograms, Cell testing, MRI’s, Hyperbaric Chamber treatments, wearing a portable vacuum seal machine for 6 weeks to help wounds heal. My oncologist will know me for the rest of my life, and their treatments...saved my life! People tell me that God must have a plan for me, and that maybe it’s because I am so strong that he keeps dishing Cancer out to me. A weaker person wouldn’t be able to handle it, but I am not as strong as everyone thinks. Cancer breaks you down, day by day. Each time it comes back, it gets harder to stay as positive as the last time. I am one woman who just keeps plugging away and trying to have a happy, long life. In 2005 Cindy competed in and finished the Nike Woman’s Marathon in San Francisco, which is 26.3 miles. It was heartbreaking to see her laboring due to the scaring in her lungs from all of the radiation, but seeing her cross that finish line was nothing less than a miracle. The funny thing is I thought it was my supporting and encouraging her the entire distance that motivated her, but when asked after the race what it was, she will tell you it was the Sexy Fireman waiting at the finish line with a hug and a Tiffany’s necklace. Go Figure! Cindy has since been involved with both Relay for Life and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation for which she was nominated and selected in 2012 to be a flag barrier at the grueling three-day, 60 mile walk in Seattle, Washington in which she completed.
Stockton Ports Roster 14 26 18 33 44 29 46 15 39 16 23 38 17 30 19 11 17 9 27 12 34 21 5 28 7 22 3 2 10 20 37 24
PITCHERS B/T Alderson, Tim R/R Atherton, Tim R/R Avila, Andres R/R Bowman, Josh R/R Covey, Dylan R/R Fernandez, Rodolfo R/R Hall, Kris R/R House, Austin R/R Hassebrock, Blake R/R Joseph, Jonathan R/R Lamb, Chris S/L Sanburn, Nolan R/R Sanchez, Jake R/R Streich, Seth L/R Ynoa, Michael R/R CATCHERS B/T Gorton, Ryan R/R Lipkin, Ryan R/R Taylor, Beau L/R INFIELDERS B/T Healy, Ryon R/R Kirkland, Wade L/R Nunez, Renato R/R Olson, Matt L/R Pinder, Chad R/R Robertson, Daniel R/R OUTFIELDERS B/T Brugman, Jaycob L/L Crocker, Bobby R/R DeVoss, Zeke S/R Oberacker, Chad L/L Shipman, Aaron L/L COACHING STAFF POSITION Christenson, Ryan MGR Wasdin, John P-C McArn, Brian H-C Tims, Travis A-T Zapien, Vic CLB Seeliger, AJ STR
ROSTER MAY CHANGE
HT WT 6’6” 220 6’2” 204 6’0” 185 6’2” 215 6’2” 195 6’2” 220 6’3” 220 6’4” 200 6’5” 225 6’2” 188 6’1” 205 6’1” 205 6’1” 205 6’2” 220 6’7” 210 HT WT 6’2” 225 6’0” 195 6’0” 205 HT WT 6’2” 225 5’11” 200 6’1” 200 6’5” 230 6’2” 192 6’1” 200 HT WT 6’0” 195 6’3” 225 5’10” 175 5’11” 188 6’1” 180 HOMETOWN Redlands, CA Fort Belvoir, VA Elk Grove, CA Sante Fe, NM Stockton, CA Winnemucca, NV
DOB 11/03/88 11/07/89 06/20/90 09/09/88 08/14/91 03/21/90 06/08/91 01/24/91 07/15/89 05/17/88 06/15/90 07/21/91 08/19/89 02/19/91 09/24/91 DOB 02/27/90 10/08/87 02/13/90 DOB 01/10/92 04/04/89 04/04/94 03/29/94 03/29/92 03/22/94 DOB 01/18/92 05/01/90 07/17/90 01/14/89 01/27/92 PREVIOUS TEAM Beloit (Low-A) Beloit (Low-A) Midland (AA) Stockton (High-A) Stockton (High-A) Beloit (Low-A)
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Visiting Team Rosters
Players To Watch Brandon Drury Position: 3B/1B Bats: R, Throws: R Drafted: 2010, 13th Round (404th pick) by the Atlanta Braves 2014 - .296 AVG, 18 HR, 78 RBI Drury was a part of the trade that sent Justin Upton to Atlanta in 2013, since the trade Drury’s stock has risen as the right handed hitter has come on strong with an explosive bat known for producing power.
Braden Shipley Position-P Bats: R, Throws: R Drafted: 2013, 1st Round (15th pick) by the Arizona Diamondbacks 2014 - 4-2, 3.74 ERA, 45.2 IP, 41K The 6’3’’ righty from Oregon has shown that his fastball has been his greatest asset. Shipley is often clocked in the mid-90’s and has touched 98 MPH at times, currently ranked as the Diamondbacks number 2 overall prospect.
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14 15 16 17 21 22 26 29 33 37 40
PITCHERS B/T Daniel Gibson R/L Johnny Shuttlesworth R/R Braden Shipley R/R Henry Garcia L/L Joey Krehbiel R/R Brandon Sinnery R/R Andrew Barbosa R/L Kyle Schepel L/R Spencer Arroyo L/L Justin Van Grouw R/R Keith Hessler L/L Blayne Weller R/R Enrique Burgos R/R
CATCHERS 8 Ronnie Freeman 10 Jose Queliz INFIELDERS - Ryan Gebhardt 3 Brandon Drury 4 Kevin Medrano 11 Rudy Flores 13 Raul Navarro 6 24 34
OUTFIELDERS Breland Almadova Alex Glenn Brandon Jacobs Socrates Brito
COACHING STAFF 7 Robby Hammock 18 Jason Camili 31 Gil Heredia
B/T R/R R/R B/T R/R R/R L/R L/R R/R B/T R/R L/L R/R L/L POS MGR H-C P-C
ACTIVE ROSTERS ON 7/28 ROSTER MAY CHANGE
10 12 15 22 30 32 33 34 35 36 41 45
PITCHERS Matt Flemer Bruce Kern Ben Alsup Jayson Aquino Alving Mejias Shane Broyles Jon Keck Rayan Gonzalez Ryan Carpenter Tyler Gagnon Devin Burke Peter Tago
CATCHERS 11 Alex San Juan 20 Michael Ramirez INFIELDERS 4 Patrick Valaika 6 Juan Ciriaco 7 Rosell Herrera 9 Matt Wessinger 14 Dean Espy 25 Jordan Ribera 53 David Bergin 4 OUTFIELDERS 18 Michael Tauchman 21 David Dahl 28 Derek Jones 29 Francisco Sosa COACHING STAFF - Don Sneddon 20 Jonathan Stone 34 Dave Burba
B/T R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R L/L R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R B/T R/R R/R B/T R/R R/R S/R R/R R/R L/R R/R B/T L/L L/R L/L R/R POS MGR H-C P-C
Players To Watch David Dahl Position - OF Bats: L, Throws: R Drafted: 2012, 1st Round, (10th pick) by the Colorado Rockies 2014 - .305 AVG, 10 HR, 41 RBI After suffering a few set backs from injuries at the beginning of his professional career, Dahl came on strong with the Ashville Tourists and eventually earned a promotion to Modesto, currently ranked as the Rockies number 3 Prospect.
Jayson Aquino Position - P Bats: L, Throws: L Signed: 2009, Free Agent by the Colorado Rockies 2014 - 3-8, 5.31 ERA, 61.0 IP, 52K The tall lefty has a strong command and a variety of pitches including his breaking ball, which stands out among the rest, Aquino currently ranks as the Rockies 17th overall prospect.
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Scorecards
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Player Biographies
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Tim Alderson
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Austin House
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Jonathan Joseph
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL (AZ) ACQUIRED: 2014 FREE AGENT
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO ACQUIRED: 2012 14TH ROUND @AHOUSE15
POSITION: PITCHER
ACQUIRED: 2006 NON DRAFTED FREE AGENT
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Jake Sanchez
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Andres Avila
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: IOWA WESLEYAN COLLEGE ACQUIRED: 2014 TRADE (WHITE SOX) @ JSANCH21
POSITION: PITCHER
ACQUIRED: 2010 FREE AGENT
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Michael Ynoa POSITION: PITCHER
ACQUIRED: 2008 NON DRAFTED FREE AGENT @YNOA28
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Chris Lamb
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: DAVIDSON COLLEGE ACQUIRED: 2011 11TH ROUND
@CHLAMB16
Daniel Robertson
POSITION: INFIELDER @D_ROBERTSON28 SCHOOL: UPLAND HIGH SCHOOL (CA) ACQUIRED: 2012 1ST ROUND
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Q&A With Infielder Daniel Robertson FAVORITE TV SHOW: FAVORITE MOVIE: HOBBIES: PERSON WHO TAUGHT ME THE MOST: FAVORITE THING ABOUT HOMETOWN: IF I WASN’T PLAYING BASEBALL, I’D BE: ON THE ROAD, I LIKE TO: BALLPARK I WANT TO PLAY IN: ONE THING I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: PET PEEVE:
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FAMILY GUY/PRISON BREAK BIG DADDY FISHING, GOLF, VISITING BEACH & SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS MY DAD I GET TO VISIT IT A LOT PLAYING IN THE NFL LISTEN TO MUSIC OR SLEEP FENWAY PARK MY FAMILY TRYING TO TALK OVER LOUD MUSIC
Rodolfo Fernandez POSITION: PITCHER
ACQUIRED: 2014 TRADE (BREWERS)
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Seth Streich
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Josh Bowman
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Nolan Sanburn
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: OHIO UNIVERSITY ACQUIRED: 2012 6TH ROUND
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA ACQUIRED: 2010 10TH ROUND
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS ACQUIRED: 2012 2ND ROUND @NOLANSANBURN
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Player Biographies
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Blake Hassebrock
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Dylan Covey
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Kris Hall
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF NC AT GREENSBORO ACQUIRED: 2010 8TH ROUND @HASSEWORLD
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO ACQUIRED: 2013 4TH ROUND @COVESMAGOVES
POSITION: PITCHER SCHOOL: LEE UNIVERSITY ACQUIRED: 2012 8TH ROUND
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Beau Taylor
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Ryan Gorton
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Chad Pinder
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@BIG-KRIT44
POSITION: CATCHER SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA ACQUIRED: 2012 5TH ROUND
POSITION: CATCHER SCHOOL: OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY ACQUIRED: 2012 31ST ROUND @GORTON16
POSITION: INFIELDER SCHOOL: VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY ACQUIRED: 2013 2ND ROUND SUPPLEMENTAL @CHIWILLY92
Wade Kirkland
POSITION: INFIELDER SCHOOL: FLORIDA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ACQUIRED: 2010 11TH ROUND
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Matt Olson
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Ryon Healy
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Renato Nunez
POSITION: INFIELDER SCHOOL: PARKVIEW HIGH SCHOOL (GA) ACQUIRED: 2012 1ST ROUND @MATTOLSON21
POSITION: INFIELDER SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF OREGON ACQUIRED: 2013 3RD ROUND
POSITION: INFIELDER
ACQUIRED: 2010 NON DRAFTED FREE AGENT @RENATO44NUNEZ
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Zeke DeVoss
POSITION: OUTFIELDER SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ACQUIRED: 2014 FREE AGENT
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Jaycob Brugman
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Aaron Shipman
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Bobby Crocker
@ZEKEDEVOSS
POSITION: OUTFIELDER SCHOOL: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY ACQUIRED: 2013 17TH ROUND @BRUGGY4
POSITION: OUTFIELDER SCHOOL: BROOKS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL (GA) ACQUIRED: 2010 3RD ROUND @A_SHIPMAN15
POSITION: OUTFIELDER SCHOOL: CAL POLY SAN LUIS OBISPO ACQUIRED: 2011 4TH ROUND @CROCK_24
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Cancer Survivor - Julia Padilla My name is Julia Padilla, and I am a Cancer Survivor. My diagnosis day was December 22, 2011, Breast Cancer/Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage I. I received the news one day before my late brother Louie’s Anniversary. He lost his short battle but long journey, December 23, 2007 (4 years prior) to Squamous Cell Carcinoma. What a raw, vivid memory to have. Six brutal surgeries later and a long road to recovery, here I am. I can share so many things about my journey but it would take up the entire book and probably more. But I wanted to just bring to light what allowed me to get through my many days of pain, fear, worry and feeling like a prisoner of war. Courage, Bravery and Survival! The day that will forever be “The Day” was frightening. I knew what to do for others. What “could be” was very real for me. How was I going to inform my mom? How fair was it that she had another child sick from this BEAST! Just shy of a year from his anniversary, my aunt (who’s my best friend) went through her journey of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Thankfully, she’s doing amazing and is also a Survivor. She was very influential in my journey and one of the things I told her every time she thanked me and showed her gratitude was “you will do it for me one day.” Sure enough she did and I’m forever grateful and blessed to have had her there cheering me on. I didn’t know what to do now that it was MY turn. After the initial shock, getting through the holidays and having all the appointments and many tests, it was time to get this done. I reflected back and thought about how my brother got through his fight. He showed so much courage. He was never scared; at least he never showed it. He would just say, “It’s in God’s hands!” And eventually a “thumbs up” because of all the invasive treatments and surgeries, he lost the ability to speak. He was my rock and inspiration, and he made it possible for me to find the courage to put my “big girl pants on” to fight MY fight. My
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brother fought with great courage and I thought if he could do it, I could do it. Bravery came after I talked to several people. Hearing their stories helped me make a decision for me. I reached and sought for what I thought was right for me and I knew I needed to be brave and not be scared. I had a double mastectomy (Jan 12, 2012) with reconstruction (Jan 23, 2012) this was 2 of the 4 surgeries ahead. The boldness it took to remove both my breast would take the worry away. This is what I needed to do for me. All the reading I did while recovering, a story that stands out was when one survivor named her new girls “Faith & Hope”. I loved that idea and so I did the same thing and I decided to name my girls “Bravery & Courage”. Survival! I knew my goal and hope was to remain living. Sure, there were many times I felt like a prisoner of war “POW”, and didn’t know if I would ever stop feeling pain from my many surgeries. Was I going to ever get out of that dark place? But I couldn’t let this beast get me, and I had to be in survival mode. I met some amazing people through my journey and continue to meet SUPER STAR status survivors. Some weren’t as fortunate as me, and it hits me to my core when I get the news about another person earning their wings with my late brother. I continue to thrive and survive. Over the years, I’ve had many people who have reached out to give me fuel to beat this thing. I believe there are blessings in every curse and many blessings came to me through this experience. My gratitude to my family and friends is larger than I can ever speak of or give in return. Saying “thank you” is just not enough. I try to give back and help when and how I can. I enjoy days where I can open up my home to newly diagnosed women and allow for people to share their stories. If I can give an ounce of inspiration, I’m happy and it warms my heart. Those who let me in their world and shared their story gave me inspiration. I am forever grateful. I continue to pray for courage, bravery and survivorship status. My mantra has been “It’s in God’s hands,” and I thank my brother for being my rock and helping me through my journey.
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Community Corner
BY KELLIE RYAN
On Friday, August 8th, the Ports will be hosting their 8th Annual Pink Night. Ports players and coaches will be sporting special Pink Night jerseys, which will be auctioned to the highest bidders. The lucky winners will have the opportunity to meet the player wearing their new jersey and have it signed on the field following the game. The jersey auction will be located outside the team store, down the third base line. Also make sure to check out the Ports memorabilia raffle, which will be held behind the Press Box. All proceeds from the jersey auction and raffle will benefit St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Breast Health Services!
This year, the Ports have teamed up with Susan G. Komen of Sacramento Valley to paint two seats pink at Banner Island Ballpark pink. Our local affiliate of Susan G. Komen have the exclusive rights to the seats and use the tickets to honor cancer survivors and to thank volunteers, donors, and race participants. Ports fans can see the pink seats at the top of Section 107!
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August Promotions
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