(AP) Ann Arbor - Today the AllKnighters shipped out their most
popular player, Eric Young. Young had ignited the AllKnighters attack
since the team's move to Ann Arbor from Cockeysville. Young was traded,
along with newly acquired Scott Brosius, to Washington in exchange for
injured SS Omar Vizquel, speedy catcher Ben Petrick and powerful RF
prospect Don Coker.
"It really hurts knowing that next time we see Eric it will be on
sportscenter. He was not only a catalyst on the field, but a veteran
presence in the dugout, "said GM Michael Kennedy. "But I guess we kind
of took advantage of Washington's need to replace Omar. With him being
hurt Weiner felt he was more expendable then he usually would be, and we
feel we got him cheap. Scott (Brosius) will also be missed. He played
great for us and his great glove will be hard to replace, but we
couldn't pass up this deal. Petrick really fills a major need for us and
Coker is another great bat, with an equally incredible glove and arm,
added to our minor league system. By trading Young we actually become a
faster team and that is tough to believe. Vizquel will be counted on to
team up with Quenton McCraken to spark next years AllKnighters team."
In recent weeks the AllKnighters have acquired several young players
with great potential, beginning with LF Chad Hermensen 58-99-68, CF Webb
Messenger 59-55-87, 2B Pete Pierce 57-65-90, RF Karim Garcia 5385-59, RF
Don Coker 67-99-45, C Ben Petrick 49-73-70 and LF Ryan Klesko 61-87-50.
This is in additon to several young players the team allready had with
great potential, including Earl Zavaras and pitchers Russ Ortiz and
Carlos Cotter and several major young talents at the major league level.
"We really think that in a few years we are going to be a team with very
good power, great speed and anchored by a great starting rotation. We
have begun a rebuilding process following a specific plan and guideline.
We think we are on the fast track to competing within the next few
years. Right now our team is filled with some incredible outfield
talent, possibly one of the deeper at all levels in the PVBL. It is a
very likely scenario that a few of these guys will end up playing at a
different position other then OF", said field manager Buddy Bell.
"For the most part we feel we are done dealing. Of course all offers
will be seriously considered, but we are very happy where we are right
now", said Kennedy as he closed the press conference. "I can't wait
until next year."
