Sierra Joins MLB Legends Game Roster

Former Yankee slugger Ruben Sierra will be a member of the MLB team
during the Legends Game on Saturday in Bridgeport.

BRIDGEPORT – Count former Yankee slugger Ruben Sierra in as a member of the MLB Legends

Team in the 20th Anniversary Legends Game to be played at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard this coming Saturday, Aug. 5. A special seven-inning exhibition game, the Legends Game will pit a team made up of former Bluefish players against former Red Sox, Mets and Yankees players.

Sierra, a 20-year MLB veteran, served two stints with the Yankees—from 1995-96, and from 2003-05. A  four-time All-Star, he led the AL in RBIs in 1989 while playing with the Texas Rangers, and was awarded the Silver Slugger Award that season. having earned the honor in 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1994, as well as a 1989 Silver Slugger Award winner and that year’s RBI leader. Inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame in 2009, Sierra hit .254 batting average with 45 home runs, 221 RBIs, and 145 runs scored in five seasons in the Bronx. Nicknamed “El Caballo” (The Horse) and “El Indio” (The Indian), Sierra was a key member of the 2005 Bombers—the first Yankee team to reach the postseason in 14 years, and the first year of the last modern dynasty. The following season, he was dealt to the Detroit Tigers for Cecil Fielder.

In addition to the Yankees, Rangers and Tigers, Sierra has also played for the Oakland A’s, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins.

Indeed, Sierra also has experience at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The right fielder/DH was a member of the Atlantic City Surf in 1999 when the Surf were members of the Atlantic League. In his Atlantic League run, Sierra hit .294, blasted 28 homers, drove in 82 runs, and scored 76 runs. And in Sierra’s case, the Atlantic League acted just the way it was designed to: He signed with the Texas Rangers in 2000 and play an additional seven years in the big leagues following his Atlantic City stint.

The Bluefish team will consist of ‘Fish alumni, including Luis Lopez (‘08-‘14), Willie Upshaw (Manager, ‘98-‘00, ‘10-‘14), Mike Guilfoyle (‘98-‘03), Matt Iannazzo ('14-'16), Mike Porzio (‘05-‘08, ‘10), and Mike Moras (‘11-‘12), among others.

The MLB team will consist of other former Major Leaguers in addition to Sierra, including Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez (NYY, ‘98-‘02, ‘04; NYM, ‘06-‘07), Dwight “Doc” Gooden (NYM, ‘84-‘94; NYY, ‘96-‘97, ‘00), Bill “Spaceman” Lee (BOS, ‘69-‘78), Keith Foulke (BOS, ‘04-‘06),  and Tim Teuful (NYM, ’86-‘91).

“This event will be a very special for the Bluefish as well as the city of Bridgeport as we celebrate our 20^th Anniversary of baseball at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard,” said Bluefish General Manager Paul Herrmann. “It’s all about celebrating our local community as well as the rich history of the city of Bridgeport and the Bluefish franchise.”

For more information on the Bluefish and MLB Legends, click HERE.

In addition, there will be a pre-game Meet & Greet with all of the Bluefish and MLB legends in the Harbor Club (on the luxury suite level) beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the Meet & Greet include a seat for the game and can be purchased for $98 by clicking HERE, at the Bluefish box office, or by calling 203-210-BLUE.

Game time will be 7:00 p.m. General admission tickets will be sold for $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the game. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE, at the Bluefish box office, or by calling 203-210-BLUE.

’Fish Reel In Parra

The Bluefish welcome lefty Manny Parra to the Park City.

In an effort to further bolster their pitching staff for a second-half run, the Bluefish announced the signing of former big-league pitcher Manny Parra earlier today. This will be Parra’s first season in the Atlantic League—and his 19th overall in professional baseball.

Parra began his professional career in 2002 after being selected in the 26th round of the MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent 11 seasons within the Brewers organization, followed by six with the Cincinnati Reds. He made his Major League debut with the Brewers in 2007, where he spent parts of his next five seasons. Manny appeared in 322 career MLB games in eight seasons with a cumulative ERA of 4.90 and 592 strikeouts in 628 innings.

He began the 2017 season with the Iowa Cubs of the Pacific Coast League—the Chicago Cubs’ AAA affiliate—where he appeared in 11 games. Prior to this season, the southpaw last played in 2015, splitting time between the Cincinnati Reds and AAA Louisville Bats of the International League. In 133 career minor league games, Parra earned 40 victories with a 3.21 ERA and 576 strikeouts in 597.2 innings.

“Manny joins us in a critical part of the season,” said Bluefish general manager Paul Herrmann. “We’re in the race to win the second half and think he will be a tremendous help in our quest for the playoffs, as he brings an immense amount of Major League experience to our ballclub.”

—Staff Reports