SHOREBIRDS ON VERGE OF 1,000TH WIN IN 15TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Home Opener Set for Friday at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium

Salisbury, MD – With the 15th Anniversary Season in full swing, the Delmarva Shorebirds are one win shy of reaching 1,000 in the history of the franchise. The Shorebirds play the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Thursday, April 15th in Greensboro, N.C. before returning to Arthur W. Perdue for the home opener on Friday, April 16th at 7:05 p.m.

The Delmarva Shorebirds brought baseball back to the Eastern Shore in 1996 as a Montreal Expos affiliate and posted an 83-59 record. The 83 wins by the inaugural team are still the most wins in a single-season in Shorebirds history. Current Shorebirds pitching coach Troy Mattes played an integral part in leading the ‘Birds to the South Atlantic League championship series.

The Shorebirds won their two league titles in 1997 and 2000 as an Orioles affiliate. In 1997, current Shorebirds manager Ryan Minor anchored the offense with a .307 batting average, 24 home runs and 97 RBIs. Calvin Pickering also pulverized the South Atlantic League with a .311 batting average, 25 home runs and 79 RBIs. In 2000, Joe Ferguson, the all-time leader in managerial wins, led the ‘Birds to the league title. Willie Harris, Napolean Calzado and Eddie Rogers were key contributors in the run to the league crown.

Over the years, many former Shorebirds have progressed up to the major leagues. The list includes: Michael Barrett, Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts, Erik Bedard, Ryan Minor, Troy Mattes, Willie Harris, Jayson Werth, Javier Vazquez, Brad Bergesen and Chris Ray.

No shortage of highly touted prospects have dawned the Shorebirds orange and white over the years. In fact, 15 first round draft picks have played for the Shorebirds including current pitcher and 2009 fifth overall selection, Matt Hobgood.

The Shorebirds have reached the postseason six different times in the last fourteen years. Further, the ‘Birds have posted seven winning seasons since 1996.

The Shorebirds will pay tribute to the last 15 years of baseball on the Eastern Shore in variety of ways throughout the 2010 campaign. The 15th Anniversary Team, which will consist of the top 30 players in the history of the franchise, will be unveiled in the next week. The Shorebirds will also hold five 15th Anniversary Team Card Strip Giveaways during the season, in which each member of team will be featured on a baseball card.

The Shorebirds host the Hagerstown Suns at 7:05 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Friday, April 16th. For information about the “Opening Night Bash” and to purchase tickets to the home opener, call the Shorebirds Box Office at 410-219-3112.

Year-by-Year Results
1996 - 83-59
1997 - 77-65
1998 - 81-61
1999 - 58-80
2000 - 74-62
2001 - 61-79
2002 - 76-64
2003 - 67-71
2004 - 69-69
2005 - 72-67
2006 - 64-73
2007 - 68-68
2008 - 78-61
2009 - 66-70
2010 - 5-2