Newark Bears Web Site

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2003
Contact: Jim Cerny (973) 848-1000, ext. 109

NEWARK, NJ, July 15-The Newark Bears announced today that the club has signed infielder Peto Ramirez to a contract. The 30 year-old Ramirez, who has primarily been a catcher in his 13-year career, will play first base and third base with the Bears.

Ramirez, who finished last season with the Atlantic City Surf, has played 379 games in his career for the Bears between 1998 and 2002, more than any other player in franchise history. He is the Bears all-time leader in five other career offensive categories: runs batted in (194), at-bats (1193), hits (307), doubles (53) and walks (162). Ramirez is second on the Bears all-time home run list with 50, four fewer than Ozzie Canseco.

In 2000 Ramirez had his best season for the Bears, belting 22 home runs and 17 doubles to go along with 79 RBI and a .271 average.

"Peto has been a very successful and very popular player in the past for the Bears and we are excited to have him back in a Newark Bears uniform once again," said Chris Bryan, the Bears Vice President and General Manager. "I'm sure our fans will be very happy to see Peto back where he belongs."

Originally a 26th round selection of the San Francisco Giants in the 1991 draft, Ramirez spent parts of three seasons at the double-A level before joining the Bears in 1998.