GOING BACK TO THE SHOW

Since its inception in 1998, the Atlantic League has been home to many ballplayers both in the earlier and latter stages of their careers. Quite simply, playing in the Atlantic League means different things to different players. The league has seen MLB veterans such as Jose Canseco, Ruben Sierra, Tim Raines, Jose Lima, Ricky Henderson, Dante Bichette, Pete Incaviglia, Carlos Baerga, Jim Leyritz, Curtis Pride, Brendan Donnelly, Joe Borowski, Jose Offerman, Bobby Hill, Henry Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez, Devi Cruz, Edgardo Alfonso and countless others return to The Show. Many of these players were looking for another Big League chance and played in the Atlantic League to stay involved in baseball while others simply stayed in the game as long as they possibly could seeking a career past their playing days. In its twelve years of play, the Atlantic League has played host to well over 700 MLB experienced players, over 100 alone in 2009.

The Atlantic League provides an alternative for MLB veterans to play but has also been a valuable option for young players starting their Major League careers, Steven Drew and Jared Weaver, both first round selections, were signed by Camden to start their professional careers while negotiating with their respective MLB teams. Players who may have been overlooked in the draft, get the opportunity to hone their skills and improve their overall game. The experience they get from their teammates and coaches will allow them to take the next step into a major league organization. Since 1998, nearly 400 players who played in the Atlantic League have had their contract purchased by a major league organization. Some have gone on to the affiliated club and worked their way up the organization ladder, while others have gone directly to “The Show.” In 2005 Chris Widger went from Camden to the Chicago White Sox and became a member of the World Champion White Sox. Ricky Henderson went from the Newark Bears to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jose Canseco from the Newark Bears to the White Sox. Ruben Sierra was perhaps the most successful alumni of the Atlantic League, returning to the Major Leagues for six seasons, most successfully with the New York Yankees.

As the play improved on the field, so did the work in the dugout. Many Atlantic League managers and coaches have had fine major league careers prior to joining the Atlantic League staff including Sparky Lyle (Cy Young Winner), Butch Hobson (former Red Sox manager), Tim Raines (eligible for Hall of Fame selection), Former All Star players such as Tom Herr, Andy Etchebarren and Von Hayes, and solid MLB veteran players such as Dave Lapoint, Willie Upshaw, Ron Karkovice, Terry McGriff, and Danny Cox will provide Major league advice and coaching to aspiring Atlantic League players this season.

The Atlantic League is not only a stepping stone for hungry ballplayers but also for those looking to stay in the game in an administrative or coaching capacity. In its thirteen years of operation, the league has had nearly 100 of its former players and staff hired by major league organizations as coaches, managers, instructors, scouts or administrative personnel.

For the first 100 years Major League Organizations had only two ways to build their teams. They either signed their players or traded for them. Free Agency in 1976 offered the first change in 100 years. Now with the success of Independent Baseball a fourth way has been added. More and more players are choosing to play Independent baseball in order to keep contract flexibility while performing essentially for all Major League Teams who choose to scout and sign Independent league players and Independent baseball is becoming an integral part of each major league organization’s Player Development process.

Below is a thirteen year history of former Atlantic League players who returned to Major League Baseball.

* Drew, Lofton, Hill, Shibilo Stocker, Puffer and Weaver are only players to MLB without prior ML experience.

Below is list of 2009 signings of Atlantic League Players:

Below is a list of former Atlantic League players who played in the Major Leagues in 2009: