(Bridgeport, Conn. – Sept. 24, 2012) – Even though the Bridgeport Bluefish were unable to qualify for postseason play, there were many individual and team accomplishments that inspired family fun at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard and on the road through 140 games.
During the early part of the season, the Bluefish played some of the most memorable baseball since the late part of 2010 as the squad owned the best record in the Atlantic League at 12-5. This prompted affiliated organizations to take notice and pick up talented outfielders Collin DeLome and Joey Gathright.
After the departure of two of the key pieces to the team, Bridgeport tried to find the right bats in the order and replace some of the pitching that had struggled after a great start to 2012. Brock Peterson was outstanding for Bridgeport in carrying the offense once the two players departed and James Simmons entered the picture. The centerfielder is arguably the most improved player and most dangerous batter in the Atlantic League. Peterson was leading the League in homers (21) and second in RBI (68) when he joined the St. Louis Cardinals’ affiliate in Memphis (AAA).
The Bluefish record was much better in the second half (36-33) than it was in the first half (31-39) which led Bridgeport to compete for the final playoff spot until the final three days of the regular season.
Lefthanded starter, Paul Oseguera (12-6, 2.52 ERA) easily had the best season of his professional career. The veteran set personal bests in Wins, ERA with a minimum of ten starts, Complete Games (4), Strikeouts (146), and Shutouts (2). This performance earned him the All-Star nod as the starting pitcher for the Liberty Division. His command of the game led to an invite to play winter baseball in Venezuela this offseason with Bluefish teammate, Juan Rincon. Oseguera is the frontrunner for lefthanded starter of the year, after defeating Lancaster southpaw John Halama, in his fourth complete game on September 19. The California native earned the Pitcher of the Month award in the Atlantic League in August. Bridgeport’s starter owns a career record of 27-16 with a 3.49 ERA in his three seasons in the Park City.
One pitcher whose numbers dramatically improved in 2012 was Gilbert De La Vara (11-9, 4.41 ERA). The southpaw tossed 62 more innings this season than in any other year in his professional career. De La Vara set career highs in Games Started (27) and Wins while matching his top mark for most Strikeouts (100). Bridgeport’s lefthanded starter had fifteen quality starts in 2012 which was the most on the squad.
If there was a comeback player of the year award, no Bluefish player would be better suited for that than Brad Thompson (6-5, 3.54). The former Major League pitcher was coming off Tommy John Surgery in 2011. He began the 2012 campaign in New Britain (AA –Twins), traveled to the Freedom Pro League, and then landed in Bridgeport. He tied Oseguera’s mark for most Complete Games (4) and for the first time since 2007, the righthander worked more than 100 innings in a season when starting for the St. Louis Cardinals organization (129.1 IP in the Majors and 8.1 IP in the minors). Thompson’s journey to attempt a comeback is a great story about an athlete doing what it takes to persevere through some physically tough times.
One of Bridgeport’s mainstays in the Park City had another solid season. Corner infielder Luis Lopez shot past the 2,100 hit mark in 2012 and surpassed several Bluefish greats for the top mark in the history of the franchise. Lopez earned his 109th Bluefish double on August 2 against Somerset and passed Bluefish infielder Oreste Marrero. The current Bluefish infielder also passed Marrero for most Bridgeport RBI (333, Lopez has 347) in franchise history. Lopez is in elite company for walks, as well, as he passed Mel Wearing Jr. (313) on the list. His performance led to another All-Star appearance for the Liberty Division in 2012. The fans believe his consistency over time makes him one of the top fifteen players in Bridgeport history with Willis Otanez and Matt Pike.
Even though this first baseman was not a part of the team after August 12, Brock Peterson was a thumper in the middle of the lineup. He drove in critical runs and during one stretch he had homers in five straight contests. Peterson earned eight homers in as many days and eight shots in nine contests from May 30-June 8. During that string of games he drove in eighteen runs, scored fifteen times and contributed five doubles. At the time he left for Memphis (AAA – Cardinals) Peterson led the squad in Homers (21), RBI (68), and Batting Average (.293) while he was second in doubles (21). His hitting prowess allowed the first baseman to win the Atlantic League offensive player of the month in June.
Outfielder, Prentice Redman, completed one of the best seasons in his professional career as he tied the record for most doubles, in one season, in Bluefish history with 39. The number matched Wes Bankston’s total from 2011. Redman also hit the final five homers of the year for Bridgeport and finished with 21 round-trippers this season and 82 RBI. He was a Liberty Division All-Star outfielder and one of the players favored to be a part of the Atlantic League Postseason All-Star team. Redman drove in sixteen runners in the last ten contests of the season and six multiple hit games in the last eleven when the Bluefish were contending for the Second Half Liberty Division title.
Two of the young and rising stars for the Bluefish include Simmons and Brad Boyer. Simmons had a mammoth second half as he hit eleven homers in the final 69 games. Many of those homers came on the road. His speed, power and arm strength provided a much-needed lift after Bridgeport lost DeLome and Gathright for a period of time before Gathright returned to the team for the September run. The power threat made history by recording the first Atlantic League hit in Roger Clemens’ return to baseball on August 25 for the Sugar Land Skeeters.
Boyer was traded by the Lancaster Barnstormers to the Bluefish on August 7 for future considerations. Since he joined the squad the lefthanded hitter improved his hitting against all pitching and rotated Luis Lopez to first base while placing Otanez into the Designated Hitter role. He was a pivotal bat in the lower part of the order to protect either Gathright or Kennard Jones at the leadoff spot.
Off the field, there were some memorable moments as well. Bluefish fans, Brenda and Kevin Tanski won an opportunity to go to Sugar Land, Texas to watch Bridgeport take on Clemens and the Skeeters. Thanks to Chip’s Family Restaurants and Valley Lighting and Home Decor the fans were excited about traveling as the wife and husband were entitled to hotel and plane accommodations along with tickets to the Friday night contest and Saturday’s spectacle in the Lone Star State.
Bridgeport did not make it to the postseason, but there were many moments to remember in 2012. Willie Upshaw and the Bluefish are looking to turn the page toward 2013 for a chance to compete and bring another championship to Connecticut.
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