Teaming with excitement
Mahoning Valley Scrappers introduced to area baseball fans
Trending
Scrapper pitcher Darrell Johnson Jr., left, autographs two small wooden bats for Donovan Albanese, 10,of Howland, right, during the MV Scrappers Meet the Team event at the Eastwood Mall Monday evening.
A large crowd came out to the Eastwood Mall Monday evening for the Meet the Team event for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
The oldest, Boston Mabeus, turned 24 years old in April. The youngest, Jacob Remily, turned 18 less than a month ago.
This summer they will be guided by manager Quinton McCracken, who boasts a wealth of big-league experience as a player and in the front office.
Monday morning the 2024 Mahoning Valley Scrappers converged at Eastwood Field the first time as a team. Later in the evening, they were introduced to the area at the annual Scrappers Meet The Team Night at the Eastwood Mall in Niles.
The Scrappers begin their 2024 season tonight with the start of a three-game series at Williamsport. The Scrappers will return to Niles on Friday, where they will play their home opener against Frederick. The opener against the Keys is the start of a six-game homestand.
"Opening Day is Americana, all across the country at every level of baseball, that first game of the year is something special," McCracken said. "Today everyone is in first place and hope springs eternal. This is especially exciting for me, taking on a new role and a new challenge in my baseball career."
McCracken brings a wealth of Big League experience to the Scrappers. After graduating from Duke University, McCracken was selected by the Colorado Rockies in their inaugural draft in 1992. He made his major league debut in 1995. A year later, he batted .290. In 1997, he stole a career-high 28 bases with a .292 average.
In November 1997, McCracken was picked up by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the MLB expansion draft. McCracken holds the distinction of making Tampa Bay's first-ever plate appearance. He also scored the first run and recorded the first stolen base in team history.
McCracken would finish the '98 season as Tampa Bay's MVP, batting .292 with seven home runs and 59 RBIs while playing in 155 games.
He spent three years in Tampa. McCracken would go on to play for Minnesota, Arizona (where he batted .309 in 2002) and Seattle before ending his MLB playing career in 2006 with Cincinnati.
McCracken has since held front-office jobs with the Diamondbacks, Astros and the Marlins. For the past three years, he served as a special assistant for player development operations for the Milwaukee Brewers.
"The turnout and the enthusiasm here tonight is off the charts," McCracken said of the Meet The Team crowd. "Clearly, this community loves its baseball. I can't wait for this team to come back here Friday and play in front of the home fans. I'm sure there is going to be a lot of energy in that stadium."
Monday's event drew the praise of Niles mayor Steve Mientkiewcz, who lauded the Scrappers for their ability to continue to provide "quality family entertainment at an affordable price."
"The investment that the Mahoning Valley Scrappers have made in this community over the past 25 years has been extremely beneficial to Niles and the entire area," Mientkiewcz said. "The Scrappers offer a quality brand of baseball and they package that up with an entire night of affordable family entertainment. When you go out to Eastwood Field you get the feel as though you're in Cleveland or Pittsburgh."
Mientkiewcz noted that the Scrappers have become a "summer staple" since they arrived in 1999.
"I think the true legacy of the Scrappers organization is their ability to provide entertainment for people of any age. A summer night at Eastwood Field has become such a huge part of the lives of so many area residents."
Austintown resident Brenda Hanner attended Monday's event with her two children, ages 4 and 7. Hanner displayed a picture of herself and her dad attending the Scrappers' home opener in 2002. She said she has been a regular at Eastwood Field ever since and is now introducing "the Scrappers experience" to a new generation.
"My son loves baseball, so this is a natural for him," Hanner said. "My daughter isn't much of a baseball fan, but she can't get enough. She loves everything that goes along with the entire experience, all of the promotions and the between-inning activities."
"It's great that the players are so personable and approachable. And I love seeing the same faces every year. I recognize fans from when I first started coming here more than 20 years ago -- I call them my 'summer Scrappers family.'"
Friday's home opener is slated to begin at 7:05 p.m.
Opening night promotions include live pregame musical entertainment, a bobblehead giveaway, specialty jerseys and a post-game fireworks display.
The 80-game regular season runs through Sept. 4.