WESTCHESTER, NY — Rob Hanley announced the good news early Tuesday morning: Alex Rodriguez and Jake Peavy will be Bronx Jager Bombers again next fantasy baseball season.
Bronx Jager Bombers' third baseman Alex Rodriguez inks contract extension through 2009
Hanley, who is the owner, general manager, and CEO of the ‘Bombers, a team in the Westchester Pale Ale Fantasy Baseball League, made the announcement just prior to the 12:00 noon deadline Tuesday for announcing the two players who would return to his team in the keeper league.
“We had spoken to A-Rod earlier in the week,” Hanley said, “and it was really a no-brainer. He sounded thrilled to be a Jager Bomber for a third straight season.” Rodriguez was the first overall pick in the 2007 WPAFBL draft, and led the Bronx Jager Bombers to a third place finish that year. He and Matt Holliday were kept after the ’07 campaign, and the pair, along with 2008 first round pick in Jake Peavy, led the team to second place in the regular season, losing in the semi-finals to eventual champions, Legalize Hard Drugs.
Pitching had been a weakness for the ‘Bombers the past few years, so Hanley decided to bolster his rotation by keeping Peavy and cutting Holliday. “It was a tough decision,” he said. “You can’t replace a guy like Holly out there…we’re definitely gonna miss his bat. But Peavs brings a whole other element to our club, and I think we’re just one step away from greatness.”
“I’m gonna do whatever it takes to help my team win,” said Rodriguez. “Unless it involves getting dirty or coming through in the clutch.”
Peavy had a similar positive outlook. “We believe in Rob. He’s a great leader and motivator, and only takes guys who he knows will win. And he’s not afraid to make a statement to get the team going.” Peavy was obviously alluding to the mid-season release of Vernon Wells, whose brief stay with the team ended in a heated argument following an 0-for-21 stretch and landed him on waivers. Peavy went on to say he was going to spend the offseason doing specialized workouts to improve his WHIP.
