April 29, 2010
Wilson signs big deal with Giants
by NEBJ Staff/
New Hampshire native Brian Wilson signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the San Franciso Giants.
When the San Francisco Giants agreed to a three-year $27.25 million contract extension with All-Star pitcher Matt Cain just prior to Opening Day last month, they locked up the services of standout closer Brian Wilson with a two-year $15 million deal.
A Londonderry, N.H., native, Wilson had 38 saves last season after recording 41 in 2008, during which he was a National League All-Star.
“This is what all ballplayers strive for,” said the 28-year-old Wilson. “Being part of a great organization and having them reward you. It doesn’t mean I won’t continue working. It means I have to work harder.”
The Giants also assigned righthanded pitcher Kyle Vazquez to their Single-A, South Atlantic League Augusta affiliate. Vazquez, from Berlin, Conn., pitched for Franklin Pierce from 2007-2009. He was selected in the 15th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Giants last June. Over three seasons at Franklin Pierce, Vazquez won 16 games and posted a 2.52 ERA with 215 strikeouts over 203 1/3 innings in 38 appearances.
He ranks in the top 10 in program history in each of those five categories.
Another former Franklin Pierce star, infielder Scott Savastano, was assigned to the Seattle Mariners’ Single-A High Desert affiliate.
The Plymouth, Mass., product played for Franklin Pierce from 2006-2008, hitting .388 with 14 homers and 96 RBI over 487 at-bats during his three-year career. In his final college season as a junior in 2008, Savastano was an American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings
All-America second-team selection and also picked up All-America third team honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Faulk Celebrity Softball Game upcoming
Patriots running back Kevin Faulk is bringing his friends and teammates back to Campanelli Stadium, home of the Brockton Rox, on Saturday, May 15, for the Fourth Annual Kevin Faulk Celebrity Softball Game, benefiting the United Way. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The event will include a VIP Tailgate Party, which will be hosted at the Shaw’s Center and will begin at 5 p.m.VIP tailgaters will have access to an open beer and wine bar, and the opportunity to meet Faulk and the other celebrity participants. Rare sports memorabilia will be up for bidding during a silent auction, with proceeds going to the United Way.
VIP tickets are $150 each, and include a reserved seat behind the dugout for the softball game. General-admission tickets are available for $10 each, with gates opening for general admission seating at 5 p.m.
In its first three years, Faulk’s Celebrity Softball Game has raised more than $20,000 for the United Way. Teammates who have participated in previous games include Tedy Bruschi, Randy Moss, Vince Wilfork, Laurence Maroney and Wes Welker.
The game also has featured a number of former Patriots stars.
CCBL all-stars at Fenway
The Cape Cod Baseball League will return to FenwayParkfor its annual All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 28.
Earlier last month, the league announced Hyannishad become the third Cape Cod Baseball League team to change its name. Originally the Mets, Hyanniswill now be known as the Harbor Hawks. The team’s colors will continue to be the blue and orange worn by the major-league New York Mets.
