STOCKTON PORTS
A History-Making Team? Stay Tuned!

Grant Desme (above right), was the 2009 Ports Player of the Year.
Photo: courtesy Stockton Ports.

Under the leadership of new manager Steve Scarsone, the 2010 Stockton Ports — the Single-A advanced affiliate of the Oakland Athletics since 2005 — will be looking to do what no other California League franchise has ever accomplished: win a 12th league championship.

The Ports overcame first-half struggles in the 2009 season to play over-.500 baseball in the second half and make a run for a playoff spot. Their success in the second half could be credited to the addition of prospects from Single-A Kane County, including Steve Kleen, Grant Desme, Dusty Coleman, Anthony Capra and Ben Hornbeck. The Ports ended the year third in the California League with a 4.15 team ERA and first with 1,268 strikeouts. Yusuf Carter finished the year ranked among league batting leaders with a .318 average, 14 home runs and 52 RBI.

The Ports featured several rising stars in the A's organization in 2009. They welcomed infielder Jemile Weeks and right-handed pitcher Tyson Ross, first- and second-round draft picks from 2008. Both succeeded in Stockton and earned promotions to Double-A Midland. Weeks had a 22-game hitting streak, the second-longest in the league, to begin his season with the Ports. The Ports also welcomed the Oakland A's first-round (13th overall) draft pick from 2009, infielder Grant Green, in the last home stand of the season.

The Ports featured several Oakland A's farm-system leaders on their squad last season. Carlos Hernandez led the organization with 15 victories, including nine with the Ports. Pedro Figueroa had 13 wins, second in the organization. Mickey Storey collected nine of his organization-leading 18 saves with the Ports last season.

Three of the top five strikeout kings were with the Ports in 2009. Capra finished the 2009 campaign with 170 strikeouts, while Hornbeck had 159 strikeouts and Figueroa fanned 145. Ports Player of the Year Desme totaled 31 home runs, 20 with Stockton, to lead the organization in that category. He also ranked among farm-system leaders with 89 RBI and 40 stolen bases. Carter and Kleen ranked among the top-10 batters in the system with a .318 and .312 average respectively.

The organization was thriving off the field as well. The Stockton Ports had a highly successful year with the Anchor Fund, the charitable fund established by them in 2007. In 2009 the Anchor Fund donated approximately $35,500 and nearly $107,500 of in-kind donations, including 13,350 tickets to local nonprofit organizations, charities and schools. The Ports look forward to continuing the success of the Anchor Fund and Anchor Fund events in 2010.

Also last season, the Ports established the Season Ticket Holder Ticket Donation Program, which enables season-ticket holders and fans to contribute to the Anchor Fund by donating their unused tickets. The Ports will match all ticket donations and all donated tickets will go to foster agency-related nonprofit organizations in the San Joaquin Valley area. This program will enable underprivileged youth, who would not otherwise be able to attend Ports games.

As always, the Ports are gearing up for an exciting summer of fun and affordable family entertainment. They will have 12 post-game fireworks shows this season and have great promotions and giveaways planned, such as a Dallas Braden Jersey T-Giveaway (April 16), an Andrew Bailey bobblehead night (May 1); Salute to the Brady Bunch night, with a Christopher Knight appearance (May 21); LDS Family Night, with an appearance by Dale Murphy (July 16); and a Salute to the Cal Bears night (July 31).

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