Activities were set up for youngsters to run the bases, hit balls off tees, see the locker rooms and broadcast booth and of course meet their favorite players for autographs and pictures. As a small example, this reporter spotted a star-struck young fan beaming ear-to-ear with a shirt emblazoned with the signatures of Danny Burton, Miguel Yanez and Alfredo Hinojosa. “They’re so big,” he said breathlessly.
The other big event of the day was the annual press conference that revealed to the public (and the press) the final 26 players that will be on the opening day roster. Per their usual flare for the dramatic, the Featherheads marketing team had set up an elevated stage in the Kevin Lewis lot of Farmers Field which featured a large screen covered with an equally as large Featherheads-red felt curtain draped over top of it. GM Ken Hannahs took to the stage to give a speech to the fans and press assembled the team.
Wearing large aviator sunglasses and his signature Florida Featherheads floral-print hawaiian shirt, he began to speak. “I’m so excited -- maybe almost excited as all of you -- to get our newest campaign underway here in Jacksonville. I want to thank all of the staff, trainers, and players for getting us to this day. We’ve been putting in a lot of sleepless nights to make sure we’re ready to give the city of Jacksonville another season of unforgettable baseball.” At this a large cheer went up from the attending fan-base. “Without further ado, Mr. Streets, let’s show them what we’ve got!”
At this, owner of the Florida Featherheads Drew Streets ran on stage sporting his iconic red-tinted sunglasses and matching hawaiian shirt, waving at the audience. He approached the gold-fibered rope and pulled the giant covering away, revealing the players -- each with their own highlight reel and photos.
On the list were mostly recognizable faces, but others who even those most adroit followers of the team may not have ever even heard of.
- Starting Fielders
C - Jack Hudson
1B - Bob Gorman
2B - Dave Crocker
3B - Andy Sharp
SS - Francisco Montoya
LF - Danny “Hitman” Burton
CF - Miguel “Ping” Yánez
RF - Alfredo Hinojosa
DH - Wilson Muñóz
- Bench
C - Norihide Yamamoto
1B/DH - Ray Lortie
IF - Gareth Bugler
OF - Mushanokoji Matsumoto
OF - Sancho Álvarez
- Starting Rotation
SP - José Díaz
SP - Andy Crews
SP - Iwane Sato
SP - Hyotaru Hayashi
SP - Atílio Gaivo
The impressive left-hander’s first start as a Featherhead will come at London home opener at Wembley Stadium. First pitch at 2:05 pm EST.
The other surprising pick-up for the Featherheads is Pedro Marquis, the left-handed finesse pitcher who literally no one had heard of until he was invited to major league camp by the Featherheads a mere six weeks ago. While there’s much we still do not know about the 26 year-old native Panamanian -- whether due to the language barrier or by him simply not wishing to divulge his past -- it is clear that Marquis is all smiles now. Already ingratiating himself with his teammates, many long-time Featherheads have already grown attached to the baby-faced pitcher and were thrilled to learn that he had made the team. Jose Diaz and he quickly became friends due to their home country’s proximity and mutual love of gallo pinto -- a nicaraguan dish of beans and rice.
“[Featherheads scout] Ed McDaniel was crazy for Marquis right out the gate,” said Hannahs. “He basically came in with the kid’s scouting reports and said that he may be a solid reliever -- possibly even a starter for us in the future. He was so insistent on it that I felt like I had to give him a shot. And wouldn’t you know it? Kid’s looking real good so far.”