RIVERFRONT REPRESENTED

Wilmington, DE - As the 105th World Series gets underway tonight, the Wilmington Blue Rocks will have their share of representation. Alas, the Kansas City Royals have not yet returned to the Fall Classic, but between the 26-time World Champion New York Yankees and the defending World Series title holder Philadelphia Phillies - Showtime! will still be on display. Of course former Blue Rocks great Johnny Damon (1994) helped send the Yankees to their 40th American League pennant with his game-winning two-run single off the Angels' Joe Saunders in Game Six of the A.L.C.S. He hit .300 (9-for-30) on the series, belting two homers and driving in five total scores while crossing the plate four times himself. This marks Damon's seventh appearance in the Major League postseason and his second World Series.

The Phillies boast former Blue Crew pitcher Chad Durbin (1998) among their ranks. Durbin has not allowed a single hit nor issued a walk over 4.0 innings of work and five relief appearances this postseason. He has struck out one of the 12 batters he's faced and has finished two games. Durbin is enjoying his second postseason appearance and World Series, including last season's championship run with the Phillies.

Finally, former Wilmington hitting coach and briefly interim manager Kevin Long (1997-98) serves as the hitting coach for the Yankees. He managed the Blue Rocks to a 6-1 record between the Darrell Evans and Brian Poldberg regimes in 1998. Long has mentored New York batters since 2007. His leadership and guidance helped the Yankees rank second in the Majors with a .283 team batting average. The Pinstripes led MLB with 244 homers, 881 RBIs, 915 runs scored and 663 walks. They also lead all playoff teams with a .262 team contact clip this postseason, 85 hits, 47 walks and stand tied with the Phillies with 14 home runs.

The Blue Rocks will open play in 2010 on April 8 in Myrtle Beach, SC against the Pelicans. The home opener comes on April 16 with the first of a record 15 fireworks shows at Frawley Stadium this season as the Blue Crew hosts the Potomac Nationals. Every Friday in 2010 will have post-game fireworks at Frawley.

Blue Rocks Baseball - It's Showtime!
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