SolarCats to Make Debut in Bay Area Tomorrow
May 4, 2001
San Francisco (AP) - The Sun Microsystems SolarCats will make their debut --
in more ways then one -- tomorrow at 3Com Park against the division-leading
Galena Hamsters. Th game also marks the debut of newly acquired Mariano
Rivera, who came over as part of the five player deal with the Deadwood
Outlaws.
Mariano, who has been on three teams this season, is happy to have landed in
San Francisco. "Its a lot of pressure, getting four guys traded for you,
but I am confident that I can help this team get back to where they want to
be." said Rivera. "I thought after the big contract that Deadwood gave me,
that I would finish my career there, but I guess they wanted to go in another
direction. I am grateful to have landed on an organization that respects
veteran talent." Rivera signed a record breaking 7-year, $144 million
contract with the Deadwood Outlaws, prying him away from the 6-year, $100
million offer from his incumbent team, Houston. Sun Microsystems was the only
team, aside from Area 51, that could afford to pick up such a hefty price tag.
This ability to sign high-priced, high-profile players has vaulted the
EL champions into controversy with some of the smaller market teams in the
PVBL. "We don't think its fair to have the backing of a major corporation
funding a baseball team. Its bad for baseball, economically and competitively.
The sale should be reviewed by the other owners and negated." said one
concerned owner. Sun CEO Scott McNealy replied: "Bah, hum-bug."
