Barnstormers Press Conference - 1995 (No.1 part 1)

[Fat Nige]

The Barn. Omaha, Nebraska.
March 26th, 1995

I would like to welcome you all to the first press conference of the 1995 Omaha Barnstormers. Firstly I’d like to introduce our new owner. He pitched in a total of 244 games for the Barnstormers from 1973 to 1975, with a record of 22-20 and 140 saves before going on to an 11 year MBBA career with six teams and four All-Star appearances. Welcome Meat Poplowski !!

"Thank you. I may have left Omaha early in my career but I always had a soft spot for the team that first gave me my chance in the MBBA. I retired to Omaha and when the chance came to purchase the Barnstormers I jumped at the chance. This franchise has always been bigger than its record and I now hope I can bring the black type this franchise has always deserved. I’d like to introduce you to three men who I think can help me achieve this.

Firstly, an old team-mate of mine on my far left – Ace Holder. Ace like me played here from 1973 to 1975, he started 129 games with a record of 57-36. He pitched 21 complete games, six shut-outs and struckout 783 batters. After leaving the Barnstormers he played for four more teams and helped Birmingham to a Landis Memorial Series win in 1977. Ace will be the team’s Pitching Coach.

Secondly, next to me on my left – Randy Spratt. Randy was the Barnstormers’ 1st pick, 2nd overall in 1977, he went on to be a fixture at first base for 10 years before finishing his career with Des Moines and Washington. He retired last year, his final tally was 2,635 games, 3,259 hits, 425 HR, 1,641 RBI and a career average of .325. He won a Sliver Slugger award in 1981, setting a new Johnson League record in the process with 217 hits an was an All-Star in 1979 & 1981. Randy will be the Barnstormers’ Hitting Coach.

And Now the man you’ve all come to meet. My right-hand man - On my right, new GM Nigel Laverick! Over to you Nigel ......."