Newark Bears

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Newark Bears
Founded in 1998
Newark, New Jersey

Team Logo

Cap Insignia
League affiliations
Name
  • Newark Bears (1998-present)
Team Colors
  • red, black
Ballpark
Championships
  • League titles: (2) 2002, 2007
  • Division titles: (1) 2001 
Owner(s)/Operated By: Marc Berson
General Manager: John Brandt
Manager: Wayne Krenchicki
Media: The Star-Ledger
Website: www.newarkbears.com

The Newark Bears are a professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States. The Bears are a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 1999 season to the present, the Bears have played their home games at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. The team is sometimes called the "Brick City Bruins", referring to the city of Newark's nickname.

Contents

[edit] History of Newark baseball

Further information: Newark Bears (1926-1949)

Newark was the home of several former minor league baseball teams, from the formation of the Newark Indians in 1902, and the addition of the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League in 1936. A Federal League team, the Newark Pepper also played in 1915.

The original Newark Bears were a team in the International League from 1926 to 1949. They played their home games at the former Ruppert Stadium in what is now known as the Ironbound section of Newark.

[edit] The Bears of the Atlantic League

The Newark Bears are named for the former Newark Bears team of the International League. The team was formed in 1998 by former New York Yankees catcher Rick Cerone, a Newark native. However, the Bears played their "home" schedule at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut that season while awaiting the completion of their new home field. In addition, the Bears played several home games during the first half of the 1999 season at Skylands Park in Augusta, New Jersey. The Bears inaugurated their new park, Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium, in Newark on July 16, 1999.

Over the years, the Bears have succeeded in attracting star talent to their club. Ozzie Canseco played for the Bears in 2000 and 2001, and his brother José Canseco was with the team for part of 2001 as well. Rickey Henderson played the first half of the 2003 season with the Bears and was named most valuable player in the Atlantic League All-Star Game. He was subsequently signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but was released at season's end, and he returned to the Bears for 2004. Also in 2003, José Lima pitched for the Bears at the beginning of the season; after the Kansas City Royals signed him away from Newark, Lima won his first seven decisions for the Royals.[1]

[edit] Post-season results

[edit] Logos and uniforms

The colors of the Newark Bears are red and black, with minor silver accents. The primary logo consists of the "Newark Bears" wordmark in white and silver, outlined in black. Centered above the wordmark is the stylized depiction of a bear clutching a baseball, superimposed over the Newark skyline. The skyline is red with black outline.

The Bears wear caps produced by The Game and uniforms by Rawlings. The cap worn with the home uniform is red with a black brim and button, with a logo depicting a bear clutching a baseball centered on the front. The "Bears" wordmark is centered on the back of the cap in white with black and silver outline. The away caps are black with a red brim and button, with a stylized bear head cap logo. The home uniform includes a white, sleeveless jersey with black piping. The "Bears" wordmark is centered across in red with black outline. The away jersey is black with red piping, and has the "Newark" wordmark centered across in red with white outline. The Bears wear black belts, socks, and undershirts with all uniforms.

The Newark Bears also have a red alternate jersey with black piping, with the alternate "Bears" wordmark centered across in white with black outline.

The Bears changed logos and colors prior to the 2005 season. The former colors were black, purple, and metallic gold. The change was made to illustrate a tougher image representing the hardened character of the city of Newark.

[edit] Quick facts

Current uniform colors: White vest with black piping and black sleeves for home games and black for away games. The home jersey has the word "Bears" across the front and number on the back. Red hats with the depiction of a bear holding a baseball.
Current logo design: The word "Bears" in script in red with black outline superimposed over the depiction of a bear holding a baseball and the Newark skyline. The city name is centered above the "Bears" wordmark.
Current mascot: Rip 'N Ruppert (1998-present).
Current Broadcasters: Radio: Jim Cerny (home games, some road games), Ray Alexander (all other road games)
Current Radio Station: WSOU-FM 89.5, Internet

[edit] Current roster

Newark Bears roster
v  d  e
Active (25-man) roster Coaches
Pitchers
  • 40 Flag of the Dominican Republic Edwin Almonte
  • 21 Flag of the Dominican Republic Benito Baez
  • 34 Flag of the United States Michael Bumstead
  • 37 Flag of Venezuela Jose Garcia
  • 48 Flag of the Dominican Republic Franklin Gracesqui
  • 24 Flag of the United States David Pellegrine
  • 12 Flag of the United States Rich Scalamandre
  • 22 Flag of the United States Pat Stanley
  • 25 Flag of the United States Matt Sweeney
  •  9 Flag of the United States J.J. Trujillo
  • 13 Flag of the United States Cory Willey

Catchers

  • 32 Flag of the United States Gerard Haran
  • 28 Flag of the United States Scott Knazek
  • 30 Flag of Puerto Rico John Pachot
 

Infielders

Outfielders

  • 33 Flag of the United States Cory Aldridge
  • 29 Flag of the Dominican Republic José Herrera
  • 23 Flag of the United States Val Majewski
  • 27 Flag of the United States Keith Reed
 

Coaching Staff

  • -- Flag of the United States Wayne Krenchicki (Manager)
  • -- Flag of the United States Steve Foucault (Pitching Coach)
  • -- Flag of the United States Ryan Jones (Hitting Coach)

[edit] Retired numbers

42, Jackie Robinson, retired throughout baseball.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jose Lima Statistics - Transactions. baseballreference.com. Retrieved on July 11, 2006.

[edit] External links

[edit] Media

[edit] Blogs

[edit] Fan websites

[edit] Media


Achievements
Preceded by
Lancaster Barnstormers
2006
Atlantic League Champions
Newark Bears

2007
Succeeded by
 
Achievements
Preceded by
Nashua Pride
2000
North Division Champions
Newark Bears

2001
Succeeded by
Bridgeport Bluefish
2002
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Freedom Division Liberty Division
Lancaster Barnstormers | Newark Bears | Somerset Patriots | York Revolution Bridgeport Bluefish | Camden Riversharks | Long Island Ducks | Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
Former teams: Aberdeen | Atlantic City | Lehigh Valley | Nashua | Newburgh | Road Warriors
Other Independent Baseball Leagues: American Association | Can-Am | Continental | Frontier | Golden | Northern | United


Languages