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Old 06-30-2009, 01:08 PM   #1071
Eugene Church
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The Islandian Times

March 17, 2004

La Claire's Jablonski To Oxford for 3 Players in Big Deal
The La Claire Lynx and Oxford Red Caps have finalized a big three-for-one trade. Oxford welcomes 34-year old first baseman Kenny Jablonski aboard while saying good-bye to 29-year old first baseman Lavon England, 28-year old reliever Joey Addis and 27-year old reliever Jim Melanakos.

Jablonski is the big plum in the trade, giving the already-awesome Oxford Red Caps another big bat. Jablonski has played in 239 games and posted a lifetime .319 average. Last season Jablonski batted .343 with 16 homers and 80 RBIs.

La Claire skipper Rip Calkin assessed the trade this way, "We gave up a fine hitter, but got two starting pitchers in return. Our defense will be much improved with English at first base. It also made us a younger team."

Red Cap manager Campy Roy told reporters, "It will be joy to write Jablonski on the line-up card along with Plunkett, Courtney and Spencer. We are really set for the season. Bring it on."

England, a sharp-fielding first sacker with good contact and great speed, hit only .263 with 7 home runs, but stole 51 bases and scored 91 runs.

Melanakos was 6-5 with a 3.23 ERA in 2003 and has allowed opponents a batting average of .245 throughout his career, ringing up 216 strikeouts in 305 innings, while registering 2 saves in 64 games. His record is 17 wins-16 losses with a 2.98 ERA.

Addis, a lefty, will be starting his first full season in the IPA. He appeared in 11 games last year in relief roles with an 0-0 record, but an impressive 1.37 ERA. Both Addis and Melanakos will be inserted into manager Rip Calkin's starting rotation.
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