STOCKTON PORTS
Ports Get Ready to Celebrate ‘History in Action’

Following a record-breaking 2007 season, the Stockton Ports (high Class-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics) will once again take the field at beautiful Banner Island Ballpark and fill Stockton's summer nights with baseball and entertainment. This year, the Ports will celebrate their rich history, as well as the history of baseball in Stockton. The theme of the 2008 season is "History in Action," and throughout the year, the team will honor the players and events that have made the Ports the most storied franchise in the California League since 1941.

Last year, the Ports set an all-time attendance mark. This season, the team will try and set another new attendance mark while fielding a team that could be one of the best in all of minor-league baseball. Due to off-season trades involving Nick Swisher and Dan Haren, the A's have acquired a wealth of minor-league talent that could help the Ports get back into the Cal-League playoffs after missing out in '07.

Though the Ports missed the postseason for the first time in five years, 2007 had its share of memorable moments, and many Ports regulars made an impression last season. Two of them in particular represented the Ports at the 2007 California/Carolina League All-Star Game, which took place in Stockton. Catcher Anthony Recker and reliever Pat Currin were dominant in the season's first half. Recker, who was promoted to Double-A Midland immediately following the All-Star Game, hit .319 in 56 games and earned a nonroster invitation to major-league camp at this year's spring training.

Currin, who was promoted to Stockton in late April, entered the All-Star break with a 1.71 ERA and a perfect 6-for-6 in save chances. His late-inning dominance was on display in his All-Star Game performance, as he struck out three of the last four batters he faced to end the game in front of a buzzing home crowd.

Other Ports standouts included Tommy Everidge, the Cal League's home run champion; Jose Pineda, the Ports' team MVP; and Mike Madsen, who finished his season at Triple-A Sacramento and could be a major-league starter in a season or two.

Off the field, the Ports are ready to give their fans even more fun-filled experiences at the ballpark. On Sundays, fans can sit on Metro PCS Home Run Hill for just $1 by picking up a voucher at any local MetroPCS store. Mondays will feature Monday Madness, when fans can purchase two field box tickets, two hot dogs and two sodas for just $16. On Two-for-Tuesday, presented by Carl's, Jr., fans will be able to pick up a coupon from local Carl's, Jr. restaurants redeemable for two-for-one field box tickets to Tuesday home games. For the third straight season, Wednesdays will once again feature Baseball Bingo. All fans entering the ballpark will receive a Baseball Bingo card, and prizes will be awarded throughout the night to fans who score a bingo. Thirsty Thursdays will feature $1 12-oz. domestic draft beer until 8 p.m. and $1 12-oz. sodas throughout the game.

In addition to weekly promotions, the Ports will have nine post-game fireworks shows (April 3, April 19, May 2, May 16, June 14, June 28, July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 30). The Ports will also welcome Krazy George (May 30), and former WWF wrestling star Sergeant Slaughter (August 10).

Among the items that will be given away are a Ports hat (April 18), a Mike Piazza bobblehead (May 3), a Ports fishing pole (May 17), a Ports capstone (June 13), a Splash bobblehead (June 27), a Dallas Braden bobblehead (June 29), a Ports lunchbox (June 13), a Kurt Suzuki "wobbly" (July 18), a Splash soap dispenser (July 27) and a special Fan Choice Giveaway for the final game of the season (Sept. 1).

To purchase tickets, book group outings, or for any Ports information, visit stocktonports.com or call (209) 644-1900.