FRESNO GRIZZLIES
New-Look Grizzlies Will Build On ’07 Success In 2008

Though the Fresno Grizzlies are entering their 11th season in the Central Valley, fans can be forgiven if they don't recognize the club taking the field at Chukchansi Park early in the 2008 season. November brought a new logo and color scheme to the San Francisco Giants' Triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League, and the overhaul has received great praise from Grizzlies fans, and baseball fans in general.

The new-look Grizzlies will have several familiar faces in the home dugout this season, beginning with the coaching staff. Two-time PCL Manager of the Year Dan Rohn returns for his second season at the helm, and is joined by pitching coach Mike Caldwell (second season) and hitting coach Jim Bowie (fourth season). The trio led Fresno to their best record in 10 years during the 2007 season (77-67), and will look to build on that success in 2008.

As the San Francisco Giants organization enters a transitional period this summer, a number of former Grizzlies will be given chances to shine in the big leagues, and players who establish themselves early at Chukchansi Park may receive a call to the majors earlier than in summers past.

Anchoring the Fresno offense for the second consecutive year will be former PCL Most Valuable Player Scott McClain. McClain led the Grizzlies, and finished fifth in the PCL with 31 home runs last season, and enters 2008 as minor-league baseball's active career home run leader with 262 blasts. McClain, who re-signed with the Giants for the 2008 season, needs just 55 runs scored to join the 1,000/1,000 club — this past season with the Grizzlies, he reached 1,000 RBI on the last home game of the season with a three-home run, five-RBI night.

Offensively, McClain should have plenty of support in the lineup. Outfielder Nate Schierholtz, whose .333 average was the fifth-best mark in the PCL last season, should open the season in Fresno. John Bowker, who was honored as both an in-season and post-season All-Star in the Eastern League in 2007, will bring an outstanding offensive résumé to Triple-A in 2008.

On the mound, Fresno will be strong for another year. After a solid half-season with the Grizzlies in 2007, Patrick Misch will return to anchor the rotation. He will be joined by familiar Fresno faces Matt Palmer and Nick Pereira.

The bullpen will be deep and talented, led by flamethrowers Alex Hinshaw and Billy Sadler. Another reliever, Jesse Foppert, rocketed through the Giants system to begin his career, but was derailed by injury and will begin his comeback with the Grizzlies in 2008.

Following a hugely successful 2007 season at the box office (largest per-game attendance increase in the PCL), the Grizzlies have an exciting schedule of promotions and theme nights set to support the team's motto of "Fun. Guaranteed." In addition to fan favorites like Monday Madness (two tickets, two hot dogs, two sodas, two Island Waterpark passes for just $14), Taco Tuesdays ($2 tacos, taquitos, churros and 16-oz. Tecate beers), Thirsty Thursday ($1 Tecate Light beers) and Friday Night Fireworks, the Grizzlies' promotional schedule is packed with new highlights.

Giveaways like the Tim Lincecum bobblehead (7/19), and Orange Our Fridays (all Fridays) appearances by Will Clark (5/18), Steve Sax (6/29), Dora the Explorer (7/19) and the Phillie Phanatic (8/16), five theme jerseys, and theme nights like "Super Duper '80s Night Featuring Billy Zabka" (5/15) provide a summer's worth of reasons to attend Grizzlies games.