Brockton Rox

Brockton Rox
File:BrocktonRox.gif
Information
Location	Brockton, Massachusetts
Ballpark	Campanelli Stadium
Founded	2002
Colors	Jade, Brown
Ownership	Van Schley
Manager	Chris Miyake
Media	The Enterprise, Patriot Ledger
Website	http://www.brocktonrox.com www.brocktonrox.com

The Brockton Rox are a minor-league baseball team based in Brockton, Massachusetts. Since the 2005 season, they have played in the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball (the "Can-Am League"), an independent league that is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or with the Minor League Baseball organization.

The Rox won the Northeast League championship in 2003.

The actor Bill Murray is a part owner. The team's only retired numbers are those of men who didn't play baseball professionally. The retired numbers represent the number of fights won by two famous boxers from the area: undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano (#49) and middleweight champion "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler (#62). On May 23 2005 the club gave a roster spot to former Boston Red Sox pitcher and colorful personality Oil Can Boyd. Boyd was not re-signed in 2006, and is currently out of baseball. Also, in 2005, the team made headlines by offering Theo Epstein a position with the team.[1]

The mascot for the Rox is an anthropomorphic kangaroo named K-O. K-O entertains the fans with fun promotions such as dancing with K-O and K-O's Joey Club.

In 2006, the Rox celebrated the team's 5th Anniversary season by finishing the season 49-43 and qualifying for the #3 seed in the Can-Am League Playoffs. The Rox defeated the New Haven County Cutters 3-1 in the opening round best of 5 series. In the Championship Series, the Rox fell behind 2 games to 0 against the Quebec Capitales before rallying to tie the series at 2-2. In the deciding game 5, the Rox took a 3-2 lead into the 8th inning, but a late rally by Quebec left Brockton on the losing end 5-4 giving Quebec its first ever Can-Am League Championship.

Rox DH Guye Senjem was named the Rox Most Valuable Player for 2006, and RHP John Kelly was named the team's Most Valuable Pitcher.

Senjem, a Minnesota native, began his professional career with the St. Paul Saints in 1997. Before arriving in Brockton in 2005, he spent time in the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies organizations. He set an early tone for a successful 2006 campaign with a game-winning solo homerun in the 10th inning on Opening Night at Campanelli Stadium. He went on to tie the franchise mark for homeruns in a single season with 14, and led the team in homeruns, and RBI. Twice, the left-handed hitter was named the Can-Am League’s Batter of the Week. In addition, he was named to the League's post-season All-Star team.

John Kelly was acquired by the Rox in a trade with the New Jersey Jackals in the month of June. The right-handed veteran made an immediate impact, and was nearly perfect after joining the team. He recorded a save in his first appearance, and proceeded to win his first five starts with the Rox. In 15 appearances with Brockton, he was 8-1 with a 1.92 ERA. He posted double-digit victories for the second consecutive season, finishing with 10 wins overall this year.

2007 Brockton Rox:

Pitchers 31 Ryan Burnau 34 Luis Carreras 13 Kyle George 19 Ari Kafka 22 John Kelly 23 Mike McTamney 00 Bryan Morse 35 Amad Stephens 21 Matt Reilly 26 Rolando Viera Catchers 43 Jason Radwan 29 Lee Rubin

Infielders 10 Andre Alvarado 12 Fredy De La Cruz  3 Melvin Falu 11 Eugene Julien 38 Francisco Lebron 15 Alex Nunez  2 Ryan Sickles Outfielders 33 John Allen  5 Jeremy Coronado 30 Tony Gonzalez 16 Matt Maloney

Coaching Staff 18 Chris Miyake (Manager) 32 Shad Williams (Pitching) 37 Ryan Kane (Hitting)

Retired Numbers

• 42, Jackie Robinson, retired throughout baseball.
• 49, Rocky Marciano (boxer, 49 career wins).
• 62, Marvin Hagler (boxer, 62 career wins).