Tagged: DBAP
2016 Fan Appreciation Video
The 2016 season was another memorable year in Durham Bulls baseball. From numerous sellouts to fun promotional nights to exciting on-field action, thank you fans for making this past season another fantastic experience.
Ask Me: Richie Shaffer
In the latest episode of ‘Ask Me,’ Richie Shaffer sits down to talk about hitting homers, Cal Ripken Jr., and the DBAP faithful.
How To Impress The Judges At Durham Bulls National Anthem Auditions
The National Anthem marks the beginning of every sporting event in the United States. It’s been known to elicit the strongest emotions in people and make grown men cry. If you think you are patriotic enough to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” before a Bulls game, you’re invited to audition from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at the DBAP. But before you come try out, check out the pro tips we assembled to make your audition rock.
Keep It Tight
Aspiring anthem performers only have one minute and 30 seconds to impress the judges, so don’t spend too much time showing them how many different notes you can hit on “O’er the land of the freeeeeee.”
Source: giphy
Stay Classy
Singers have to stick to the traditional National Anthem style, which means you can’t throw in any false finishes or added verses. Speaking of added verses, did you know that Francis Scott Key’s original lyrics continue after the end of our “traditional” version for three more verses? I guess they condensed it down for some odd reason. I mean who wouldn’t want to listen to a six minute national anthem?
We Talkin’ ‘Bout Practice
Please, please, please practice before you come perform the national anthem for our judges. Memorization is required, so make sure you know the words and the correct order. Don’t be like The Answer.
Source: quickmeme
Simple Is Better
We’re sure you really do sound like Lady Gaga or Beyonce in your shower, but for the audition just keep it simple. We don’t have record label talent scouts in the audience, so just be yourself.
Source: giphy
Perform The Correct Country’s National Anthem
None of that “Oh, Canada” stuff.
Five Reasons Durham Bulls Fan Fest is the Place to Be This Weekend
This weekend fans can return to their Durham Baseball promised land, when the Durham Bulls Fan Fest is going on from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5, at the DBAP. This season’s Fan Fest has so many great activities around the DBAP, we wanted to be sure you got the best Fan Fest experience possible. Here are five of the can’t-miss events at Fan Fest.
1. Merchandise Mark Downs
Everybody loves a bargain, right? During Fan Fest, the DBAP has some of the best sale prices you will see on Durham Bulls merch. Select merchandise will be marked down as much as 50 percent, and other selected items will be sold for $5 or less. You’ll have more than enough left over for tickets to a game where you can show off your new swag, and who doesn’t love the feeling of new clothes?
Source: giphy
2. Free* food!
*When you buy a ticket
That’s right, fans can get free food at Fan Fest (when you buy a ticket to any game). Single-game tickets will be on sale for any game, including each of our top date night suggestions. And when you buy a ticket, you get a voucher for a free hot dog and soda at Fan Fest. Your offseason dreams of ballpark hot dogs dancing with Pepsi products can finally be realized.
The Durham Bulls do not endorse eating pets. No judgement if you want to dress them up though. Source: giphy
Fans who are considering season tickets or mini plans get a chance to test drive seats around the DBAP and pick the ones they want for their ticket package. How else can you find that seat that isn’t too far from the field, but is just close enough to the nearest concession stand?
3. Relive your baseball/softball glory days
Fans can take batting practice and play catch on the field during Fan Fest, too. Have your friend throw you some good fly balls you can dive for to show off your Kevin Kiermaier impressions in the DBAP outfield. Try to hit the Bull atop the Blue Monster during BP and live up to those seven home runs and 1.200 OPS you keep telling your friends you had for your high school squad (hey, if they aren’t there to see it, we’ll back up whatever you say happened).
Just remember to take it easy on your Jose Bautista bat flips.
Joey Bats shows you how its done. Source: mlb.com
If your bat flip is closer to Anthony Rizzo’s, we suggest taking some practice flips at home before busting it out during BP. Source: mlb.com
4. Bull Durham Brewery Tours
Once you’re done getting grass stains from showing off your 80 grade defense in the outfield, check out the brewery tour at Bull Durham Brewery in the DBAP. You might be surprised what you find inside the brewery.
Don’t ask how all that would fit inside the DBAP. Source: tvrage.com
5. Pictures with Wool E. Bull
Practice your best selfie face, because Wool E. Bull is ready for his glamor shot with you. And if you’re taking selfies elsewhere around the DBAP, keep an eye out for his photobombing skills.
Source: giphy
We suggest a new strategy, Artoo: let’s go FULL Star Wars uniform.
How do you top a Star Wars theme jersey that raised nearly $20,000 for charity? You go FULL STAR WARS UNIFORM.
That’s right, when the Durham Bulls take the field for our annual Star Wars Night on May 16, they’ll do so sporting a complete uniform inspired by everyone’s favorite protocol droid, C-3PO. We obviously have a thing for droids.
A breakdown of the team’s head-to-toe Threepio look:
- First, the jerseys. A recreation of restraining bolt-era C-3PO’s torso, these jerseys will again be available in auctions to raise money for our friends at the Autism Society of NC. There will be both an in-game silent auction, as well as an online auction that will accept bids via web, text or phone from anywhere.
- The Bulls will sport custom gold & black hats for the occasion. These New Era lids will be available for purchase in the Ballpark Corner Store and our online shop.
- Pants, too? Yup. Gold pants for the Bulls for that all-out C-3PO look.
- And to round out the uniforms, sublimated socks with custom designs on front and back. And you know the Bulls always wear their socks up.
To sum it up, the possibility of having better Star Wars uniforms than us is approximately 3,720 to 1. Our favorite part about the unveiling though? It’s Autism Awareness Day. Having fun with this epic theme night is made that much better by raising money and awareness to fight a disorder that too many families face.
There will be a several jerseys available for auction at the DBAP the night of the event. The remainder of the game-worn jerseys (and a handful of non game-worn jerseys) will also be available in an online auction, where you can bid via text, web, or phone from anywhere in the world. As an added bonus, each players’ C-3PO inspired socks will be included with in the jersey package.
This year’s Star Wars Night is Saturday, May 16 (bummer, but we aren’t home on May 4th this season). Get tickets for the game, presented by Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, HERE. We’d do it quick, too…last year’s Star Wars Night generated the 4th biggest crowd in DBAP history.
Opening Day Roster Speculation
Well, it’s that time of year again. About a week from now we at the Bulls will announce the Opening Day roster, as the squad aims to win its eighth division title in the past nine seasons, while Jared Sandberg, the youngest manager in the Triple-A ranks, takes over for Charlie Montoyo as manager. That much we know is certain. Past that, there’s not much certain about the Bulls’ 2015 Opening Day roster. So to do our best to have an informed fan base, we try to lay out who you might see take the field for the Bulls on Opening Day.
Pitchers:
Tampa Bay’s rotation has been ravaged by injury and sickness this spring. First off, Matt Moore is still out coming off Tommy John surgery, and isn’t expected back for at least a few months. Then this spring Alex Cobb and Drew Smyly each dealt with bouts of tendinitis in their throwing arms, pushing them off track for Opening Day. To exacerbate the problem Alex Colome, who was due to compete for the Rays’ 5th starter position, missed the first two weeks of camp because of visa issues, then missed an additional week with pneumonia upon arriving to camp. Moral of the story? Guys that were tabbed for Durham are now being thrust into the Rays’ rotation, as Nathan Karns has been announced as one of the starters for the team’s first series. Thanks to an off day on the season’s fourth day, Tampa Bay can use just four starters for the first nine days of the season, meaning they’ll most likely break camp with four men in the rotation. Matt Andriese appears to be the front-runner for that fourth slot, with Mike Montgomery and Burch Smith still in the hunt, though Smith has already been optioned to Minor League camp and Montgomery is converting to the bullpen.
Dylan Floro appears headed to Durham, after leading the Southern League with 178.2 innings pitched for Double-A Montgomery a season ago
So what does this all mean for Durham? Smith, Enny Romero, Everett Teaford and Dylan Floro have all be optioned or reassigned to the minors so far. However the injury bug caught Romero as well, and it appears he won’t be ready for Opening Day. You can count on Teaford and Floro beginning the year in the Durham rotation, with Smith in the mix as well if he doesn’t make the big league roster. Additionally, late Monday night it was reported Tampa Bay had signed southpaw Scott Diamond, who could begin the season with Durham after splitting 2014 between Rochester and Louisville, both in the IL. More possibilities could very well be either Cobb or Smyly in a rehab stint, or Grayson Garvin, who spent all of last season with Double-A Montgomery.
In the bullpen there are spots to be had as well. With Jake McGee still working back from injury, you can safely assume the Rays will carry Grant Balfour, Jeff Beliveau, Brad Boxberger, Ernesto Frieri and Kevin Jepsen. Assuming they begin with a four-man rotation, that potentially leaves four more bullpen spots that could be filled by Steve Geltz, Mike Montgomery, CJ Riefenhauser and Kirby Yates, with the option of placing Smith in the bullpen as well. So per the Trickle Down Effect, expect the “budgeted” eight spots in the Durham bullpen to be filled by candidates from the list of Ronald Belisario, Andrew Bellatti, Jose Dominguez, Brandon Gomes, Jhan Marinez, Jim Miller, Jordan Norberto, Jim Patterson, Bryce Stowell, Jake Thompson and Robert Zarate.
Catchers:
The Rays are more settled behind the dish than on the mound, as Rene Rivera will be the everyday catcher. The battle for the No. 2 backstop is still going though between Curt Casali and newcomer Bobby Wilson. Whoever doesn’t begin the season at the Trop will be tabbed for Durham, while youngster Luke Maile will most likely suit up in a Bulls uniform to begin the season as well.
Infielders:
Vince Belnome, Ryan Brett, Allan Dykstra, Hak-Ju Lee and Eugenio Velez have all already been optioned or reassigned to Minor League camp, which probably means they’re tabbed for the Bull City. Still fighting for a big league spot though are Tim Beckham, Alexi Casilla, Jake Elmore and Juan Francisco. You can anticipate only one of the four will make the Opening Day roster, seemingly sending three north to Durham (Juan Francisco does have an April 5th opt-out clause if not on the Major League roster.)
Fan-favorite Vince Belnome will begin the season in Durham for the third straight year
Outfielders:
After he was optioned to minors camp a little more than a week ago, Mikie Mahtook – the team’s reigning MVP – will open 2015 in the DBAP’s outfield. In all likelihood he’ll be joined by veterans and newcomers Corey Brown and Joey Butler, with 25-year-old Taylor Motter rounding out the unit.
Despite being just nine days away from the season opener, there’s clearly still much to be decided. It will, as it typically does, come down to decisions from the big club. Even with the injuries in Tampa, Durham should still have a strong roster, and you can count on it getting stronger as the spring rolls on. As players return to health and rejoin the Rays, guys that have stepped up to fill spots will return to the minors, making the Bulls even more dangerous.
All-DBAP Team: Relief Pitcher Finalists
Only one position remains to fill out our All-DBAP Team (with managers coming next week), as we conclude the player portion of the squad with relief pitchers. This trio features three relievers who all amassed 35 saves or more in a Durham Bulls uniform.
After taking a glance at our finalists below, remember to vote for who you think is most-deserving of a spot on the All-DBAP Team by voting on the Bulls’ Facebook page. Simply leave a comment on Facebook with the name of your selection on the official finalist announcement post and you’re done!
Winston Abreu
Winston Abreu struck out 159 batters in 106.1 innings with the Bulls over two seasons
By the time he made his Durham debut in 2009 he was already in his 16th professional season at the age of 32, but he was one of the best relievers in the IL that season, recording 15 saves in 37 appearances. That year he went 3-1 with a 1.94 ERA, while striking out 77 batters in 51.0 innings. He was flawless in the 2009 postseason, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings over six appearances to earn four saves and help the Bulls to their third Governors’ Cup title and first Triple-A National Championship title in franchise history. The following season he posted a 2.28 ERA, while ranking third on the circuit with 23 saves. He struck out 82 that season while walking just 21 in 55.1 innings, while surrendering just a single home run.
Career Numbers with Durham: 3-5, 2.12 ERA, 38 Saves, 106.1 IP, 159 K in 88 G (2009-2010)
MLB Career: 0-1, 7.31 ERA, 0 Saves, 44.1 IP, 38 K in 38 G (2006-2007, 2009)
Lee Gardner
Lee Gardner, pictured with Tampa Bay, is the Bulls’ all-time Triple-A saves leader
Lee Gardner, the franchise’s all-time Triple-A leader in saves with 77, recorded 15 saves or more three times over his five season with Durham. In 2003 he set a Triple-A single-season franchise record with 30 saves, while also leading the league in that category. He saved 55 games between 2002 and 2003, the franchise’s first two Triple-A titles, while his ERA was never higher than 3.75 to finish a season with the Bulls. Over his final 150 games with Durham in 2002, 2003 and 2005, his appeared in 150 games, recording a save in 70 of them.
Career Numbers with Durham: 15-13, 3.06 ERA, 77 Saves, 259.0 IP, 206 K in 227 G (2000-2003, 2005)
MLB Career: 4-5, 3.01 ERA, 2 Saves, 101.2 IP, 68 K in 86 G (2002, 2005, 2007-2008)
Kirby Yates
Kirby Yates recorded a save in 50% of the games he appeared in with Durham
Affectionately referred to as the “Pineapple Express” in his tenure in Durham (alluding to his Hawaiian roots), Kirby Yates was perhaps the International League’s most dominant closer from 2013 to June of 2014, when he received his first big league call up. In the Bulls’ 2013 Governors’ Cup title season he ranked 4th in the IL in saves (20), T-3rd in games (51), 4th in lowest batting average against (.175) and 2nd in K/9 (13.57). In that year’s postseason he was as dominant as ever, allowing just one hit over four shutout appearances to record four saves. In 2014 he returned even better, going a perfect 16-for-16 in save chances and posting a 0.36 ERA before his promotion to Tampa Bay. At the time of his promotion, he was holding opponents to a .118 average, while left-handers were just 2-for-40 against. In his career with the Bulls, he posted a 4/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (128-to-32).
Career Numbers with Durham: 4-2, 1.45 ERA, 36 Saves, 86.2 IP, 128 K in 72 G (2013-2014)
MLB Career: 0-2, 3.75 ERA, 1 Saves 36.0 IP, 42 K in 37 G (2014)
You can cast your vote here.
Next Week: Manager
Rally the realm. Game of Thrones Night is coming.
We’ve made no secret that we’re into some things that people might consider nerdy (see Star Wars Night). Last season, we highlighted the stellar Twitter work of Bulls fan Mur Lafferty, who routinely tweets at games from the perspective of Game of Thrones character Sansa Stark.
We’re about to take it to a whole new level. On April 23, the Bulls of House Durham will host Game of Thrones Night. For the millions of fans of HBO’s mega-hit show and the readers of George R.R. Martin’s novels, this is your night. After all, the fantasy epic and baseball have a lot in common:
- Good guys & bad guys: we’re playing the Charlotte Knights on 4/23…yes, we did that on purpose.
- Awesome costumes: The Bulls will wear custom theme jerseys. We’re going to make you wait to see those (but trust us, they’ll be in more demand than dragon eggs).
- Plot twists: Lots of inning breaks means lots of GoT-themed entertainment. Some things you might expect, some you won’t.
- The Wall: Theirs is made of ice and keeps out the undead. Ours is made of blue-painted wood and keeps balls in play. Close enough.
- MLB Advanced Media: Baseball’s internet arm will power the HBO NOW streaming service (which will launch in time for Game of Thrones’ season five premiere) and it powers DurhamBulls.com. We’re cousins in technology.
- Lavish food & drink: Game of Thrones Night falls on a $1 concessions Thursday…you’ll feel as rich as a Lannister with all the $1 hot dogs you can buy. Plus, the DBAP’s selection of spirits rivals the finest outputs from the Arbor.
- Spirit animals: The Starks have dire wolves, we’ve got Wool E. Bull.
The major difference is, unlike the show or books, no major characters will meet their untimely demise during our event. And of course, we’ve got big plans for #Sansaball. Get your tickets HERE for the April 23rd game, presented by Hilton Durham. It’ll surely be one of the most buzzed-about Minor League Baseball promotions of the season.
All-DBAP Team: Starting Pitcher Finalists
You, the fans, have spoken, and all position players on the All-DBAP Team have been accounted for. All that’s left are starting pitcher, relief pitcher and manager, and this week we take a look at the three finalists for your favorite starting pitcher in DBAP history. Out of all the talented pitchers that have come through the DBAP the past 20 years, fans will be able to choose between a Cy Young winner, Rookie of the Year and the Bulls’ Triple-A single-season wins leader.
After taking a glance at our finalists below, remember to vote for who you think is most-deserving of a spot on the All-DBAP Team by voting on the Bulls’ Facebook page. Simply leave a comment on Facebook with the name of your selection on the official finalist announcement post and you’re done!
Jeremy Hellickson
Jeremy Hellickson was the Baseball America and USA Today 2010 Minor League Player of the Year
In 2009 and 2010, Jeremy Hellickson put together perhaps the most dominating 30 starts in International League history. After he was promoted to Triple-A midway through the 2009 campaign the right-hander went on to go 6-1 with a 2.51 ERA, leading the squad to its first Governors’ Cup title since 2003. In the team’s first Triple-A National Championship Game Hellickson got the call and tossed five shutout innings, allowing just two hits in Durham’s 5-4, 11-inning victory. Then in 2010 he was dominant once more, earning IL Most Valuable Pitcher honors after going 12-3 with a 2.45 ERA, leading the league in ERA and K/9 (9.41), while ranking third in wins. That season he was named the Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America and USA Today, while earning Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors from The Sporting News. In 2011 he was named the American League Rookie of the Year after going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA, and spent the first five years of his big league career with Tampa Bay before he was traded to Arizona this past offseason.
Career Numbers with Durham: 19-8, 2.93 ERA, 193.1 IP, 209 K in 35 GS (2009-2010, rehab in 2014)
MLB Career: 40-36, 3.78 ERA, 640 IP, 463 K in 115 G, 108 GS (2010-2014)
J.D. Martin
With his Triple-A franchise-record 16 wins, JD Martin was the 2013 IL Most Valuable Pitcher
Signed as a minor league free agent prior to the 2013 season, J.D. Martin went on to have a historic year for the Bulls, going 16-4 with a 2.75 ERA en route to IL Most Valuable Pitcher honors. At age 30, Martin led the IL and set the Bulls single-season Triple-A record for wins, while ranking Top-5 on the circuit in starts (27), innings pitched (160.1), and fewest BB/9 (1.46). Over his final 11 regular season starts he went 7-0 with a 2.07 ERA to lead the Bulls to the division crown, before going 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two postseason starts to help the club capture its fourth Governors’ Cup title.
Career Numbers with Durham: 16-4, 2.75 ERA, 160.1 IP, 116 K in 27 GS (2013)
MLB Career: 6-9, 4.32 ERA, 125 IP, 68 K in 24 GS (2009-2010)
David Price
David Price made 12 starts for Durham before becoming a four-time AL All-Star with Tampa Bay
Similar to our 3rd base winner Evan Longoria, southpaw David Price makes our list of finalists more because of what he’s accomplished at the Major League level rather than his time in Durham. With the Bulls, Price appeared in just 12 games between 2008 and 2009, accruing a 4.13 ERA. With the Rays however, he established himself as one of baseball’s best pitchers, as he’s been an AL All-Star four times, while finishing in the Top-6 of the Cy Young voting on three occasions, including 2012 when he won the award behind a 20-5 campaign. When he was traded to Detroit at the trade deadline in 2014, he ranked first all-time in Rays history in ERA (3.18) and second in wins (82), strikeouts (1,065), starts (170), winning percentage (.636) and complete games (10).
Career Numbers with Durham: 2-5, 4.13 ERA, 52.1 IP, 52 K in 12 GS (2008-2009)
MLB Career: 86-51, 3.21 ERA, 1,143.2 IP, 1,065 K in 175 G, 170 GS (2008-2014)
You can cast your vote here.
Next Week: Relief Pitcher
All-DBAP Team: Outfield Finalists
With all infield positions taken care of, this week we turn our attention to the outfield. 10 players make our list of finalists for the outfield, and this week fans can vote for up to three players for a spot on the All-DBAP Team.
After taking a glance at our finalists below, remember to vote for who you think is most-deserving of a spot on the All-DBAP Team by voting on the Bulls’ Facebook page. Simply leave a comment on Facebook with the names (you can vote for three this time around) of your selections on the official finalist announcement post and you’re done!
Leslie Anderson
Leslie Anderson, a Cuban defector, didn’t join the Bulls until he was 28-years-old in 2010, but put together four memorable seasons with Durham. Twice he led the team in RBIs, while appearing in 115 games or more three times. He was named the MVP of the 2013 Governors’ Cup championship team, hitting .292-14-74, and was also the Team MVP in 2012 when he hit .309-14-56.
Career Numbers with Durham: .295-43-208, 175 R in 386 games (2010-2013)
Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Baldelli, the new 1st Base Coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, had a brief tenure in Durham, appearing in 23 games for the Bulls in 2002 before returning on rehab stints in 2006 and 2007. His final tour with the Bulls game in 2010, when he suited up for 11 games in what proved to be the final year of his career. His 2002 campaign was important though, as a late-season call-up to Durham he hit .292-3-7. In the playoffs he was arguably the team’s most important player, leading the squad to its first Governors’ Cup title. Of his seven-year MLB career, six came with Tampa Bay, appearing in 62 games for Boston in 2009.
Career Numbers with Durham: .308-6-20, 29 R in 48 games (2002, 2010, rehab in 2006, 2007)
MLB Career: .278-60-262, 281 R in 519 games (2003-2004, 2006-2010)
Russ Canzler
Although he played just one season in Durham (when he played 68 games in the OF, 40 at 3B and 17 at 1B), Russ Canzler had a large impact on the squad, winning the International League MVP award in 2011. That year, he ranked 4th in the league in average (.314), 5th in RBI (83), 3rd in hits (149), 1st in doubles (40), 2nd in OBP (.401), 1st in SLG (.530), 1st in extra-base hits (62), 2nd in runs (78), 2nd in total bases (251) and 5th in walks (67). Since that 2011 season, he’s appeared in the IL each of the last three years between Columbus, Norfolk, Indianapolis, Scranton/WB and Lehigh Valley.
Career Numbers with Durham: .314-18-83, 78 R in 131 games (2011)
MLB Career: .271-3-12, 9 R in 29 games (2011-2012)
Carl Crawford
The speedy outfielder Carl Crawford spent less than one season in the Bull City, appearing in 85 games in 2002 before his call-up to Tampa Bay. In those 85 games the outfielder was superb, hitting .297, tallying 105 hits and stealing 26 bases en route to earning the league’s Rookie of the Year award. He spent the first nine years of his Major League career with Tampa Bay, before joining the Red Sox (2011-2012) and the Dodgers (2013-present).
Career Number with Durham: .297-7-52, 59 R in 85 games (2002)
MLB Career: .292-132-744, 971 R in 1,617 games (2002-2014)
Johnny Gomes
Jonny Gomes played parts of five years with the Bulls, accruing a successful campaign each time. In 2004 he put up his best powers numbers in Durham, cracking 26 homers and driving in 78, while in 2005 in just 45 games he batted .321 with 14 dingers. He played for the Rays for parts of six seasons from 2003-2008, and since then he has played for Cincinnati, Washington, Oakland and Boston.
Career Numbers with Durham: .275-43-146, 134 R in 203 games (2003-2005, 2007-2008)
MLB Career: .244-155-500, 466 R in 1,108 games (2003-2014)
Desmond Jennings
Over parts of three seasons with Durham, Desmond Jennings was a consistent player who patrolled the outfield. In 2009 and 2010 he combined to hit six homers, but 2011 saw his power improve when he cracked 12 homers in 89 games. Over his tenure in the Bull City, he swiped 69 bags while he was only caught seven times. He has spent parts of five years in the majors, each coming with Tampa Bay.
Career Numbers with Durham: .282-18-92, 174 R in 233 games (2009-2011, rehab in 2012)
MLB Career: .248-47-164, 280 R in 474 games (2010-2014)
Andruw Jones
The first finalist at any position from the Atlanta Braves’ affiliation, Andruw Jones’ 1996 season was one Bulls fans won’t forget. As a 19-year-old in the Advanced-A Carolina League, Jones hit .313-17-43 while scoring 65 runs and stealing 16 bases in just 66 games. After tearing through Double-A and Triple-A as the summer progressed, he joined Atlanta that season and helped lead them to the National League pennant. Over a 17-year big league career, Jones went on to win 10 Gold Gloves and was a five-time All-Star.
Career Number with Durham: .313-17-43, 65 R in 66 games (1996)
MLB Career: .254-434-1289, 1204 R in 2,196 games (1996-2012)
Wil Myers
A heralded prospect entering the 2013 season, Wil Myers, a Thomasville, NC native, appeared in 64 games for the Bulls that year and proved quickly he was among the league’s best players. At the time he was promoted in mid-June, he ranked 1st in the league in RBIs (55) and 4th in the league in home runs (13) before going on to win American League Rookie of the Year honors. He returned to the Bull City in 2014 on a rehab stint and promptly hit a pair of home runs, including this moon shot in Rochester. He spent his first two big league seasons with the Rays before he was traded to San Diego this offseason.
Career Numbers with Durham: .283-16-63, 47 R in 71 games (2013-2014)
MLB Career: .258-19-88, 87 R in 175 games (2013-2014)
Justin Ruggiano
One of the most familiar faces in the Bulls’ history, Justin Ruggiano played 476 games in Durham over parts of five seasons. He’s the franchise’s Triple-A all-time leader in runs scored (304) and hits (531), while batting .300 or better three times. He totaled double-digit homers in four of his five seasons, while also swiping 20-plus bases on four occasions. In the 2009 playoffs he batted a team-high .290 to lead Durham to its lone Triple-A National Championship title.
Career Numbers with Durham: .289-68-300, 304 R in 476 games (2007-2011)
MLB Career: .257-43-137, 138 R in 398 games (2007-2008, 2011-2014)
Jon Weber
A fan-favorite in Durham, Jon Weber spent parts of three years with the Bulls from 2007-2009. In his final year with the squad the veteran produced his best season, hitting .302 with 14 homers and 69 RBIs. His average was good for 9th-best in the IL, while he led the circuit with 46 doubles and ranked 3rd with 60 extra-base hits and 224 total bases.
Career Numbers with Durham: .282-30-141, 141 R in 264 games (2007-2009)
You can cast your vote here.
Next Week: Starting Pitcher
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