Pete Magnani
#23Manager / 1st base / OFSouth Plainfield, NJ
Pete Magnani...It's hard to find the words to describe this talented and good looking young man. One of the original Hawks, he shows great range at 1st base and doesn't let any balls off the bat get through (scoops in dirt are another story). Magnani has shown great improvement since blowing the 9 years of dust of his glove prior to the Spring 2003 season. The bat is a huge improvement, Nick Johnson-like patience at the plate can get him huge on-base percentages, and he is a terror on the base-paths. When this guy gets his groove back, he's gonna take the ABA by storm. Look out, Magnani has got a new glove at first base.
Leon "Diggs" Dziatkowicz
#68 Asst. Coach /1B / OFSouth River, NJ
I can’t pronounce his name, but that doesn’t matter. This guy is a damn house! This guy is like 6’7” or something and 275 lbs. This guy has got to be intimidating at the plate. He swings that 38 oz. bat that looks like a matchstick in his hands better and faster than most players can swing a wiffle ball bat. He can send the ball soaring like a Hawk way up there in cloud-country. Leon has emerged as the starting first basement since his lifetime contract began in 2004. The 2007 season will see a promotion to full time coach. Oh yeah, he’s also got beautiful naked girls hanging on him all the time so the end of the year party is already set!
Ryan Troutman
#21Catcher / 3B Matawan, NJ
Now here is the type of guy that can go out and give 110% no matter what the circumstances. An original Hawk, Ryan is a catcher with a great arm and an outfielder with tremendous range. Shagging fly balls and throwing runners out on the bases comes pretty easy for Ryan. Troutman will also be sharing the catching duties with Jim Lawson. Troutman on baseball, "Baseball is like a drug and I just need to play...I need it." A true fan of the game and a huge asset to this franchise.
Craig Magnani
#25SS / Pitcher Lake Ariel, Pa. (The Hideout in Poconos)
Craig Magnani is another original Hawk. Recruited by his good looking older brother Pete, Craig offers a reliable arm on the starting rotation and a gun at Short Stop. It took a little while to get Magnani from his softball games in Lake Ariel, but the Hawks are glad he's aboard. Craig will assume the lead-off role in the lineup, look for him to score almost as quick as he gets on. A true ball player who drives 2 1/2 hours each weekend just to play the game.
PAST PLAYERS:
David Ramos2003 - 2005 (BACK UP / ON CALL 2006 - )
#8Outfield / Catcher Perth Amboy, NJ
Dave Ramos. Career firefighter by trade, damn good ball player by skill. Ramos joined the team just before the Spring 2003 season making him a Hawks original. Ramos plays a fantastic Left Field and has a great arm. Ramos also shows a good eye at the plate and can send one soaring when he gets a hold of it. Also look for Ramos to be starting in the catchers spot several games this year. Oh, and I wouldn't try to steal a base on him...but don't take my word for it, you'll find out the hard way.
Lou Guardado2004 - 2005
#23rd Base Plainsboro, NJ
Louie has been actively pursued by Hawks manager Jim Lawson since last season. Lawson knows that this guy will be a huge asset to the organization. Playing 3rd base for the Hawks, Louie doesn't let balls get by and he has a quick bat at the plate. He shows incredible patience at the plate and seems to take a free base 3 times per game. Opposing hitters should be aware of his quick glove and righties better not pull the ball down the line. Guardado welcomes hot shots down the line with open arms. There may be powers from above at work here people.
Colin Jannone2004-2006
#5Pitcher / SS Hillsborough, NJ
Colin Jannone...one of the Hawks best aquisitions in the off season. Signed by the GM in August, 2003, Colin offers the team one of the best arms in the league. He'll blow that fast ball by you or confuse the hell out of you with his killer knuckleball (thats only 2 of his 5 pitches). Colin can also smack the shit out of a baseball. One thing is guaranteed...you will never throw Colin out at home on one of his 400 foot shots. Jannone will be one of the teams 3 starters. After pitching 8 innings the 1st game of the season, Colin said, "My arm feels like a million bucks!" (Ferdetta looked at him and growled). Excellent addition this year. Raises for the scouts are in the works.
Dave Ferdetta 2004
#9OF / 3rd base / Pitcher Ewing, NJ
Another excellent addition to the Hawks by the team scouts. Pulled from MLB retirement, the Hawks now have, without a doubt, the best closer in the leauge as well as a guy who can shag fly balls and hit catcher Jim Lawson in the chest from 300 feet. With a variety of pitches, look for Ferdetta to shut down the offense in the late innings. The Hawks now have an iron bridge between their starters and victory. Dave can also hit... He hit several balls into oblivion this year, one clearing 450 ft. Ferdetta will be playing a lead role in helping this team to a victorious season.
Brian Farkas2004 - 2005
#42 OF / PitcherMercerville, NJ and Scotland
Aquired late in the off season and fresh from Scotland, this guy may be the key to victories. Farkas shows he has a great glove and good eye for fly balls. His timing at the plate is impecable. It seems that everything he hits is up the middle. So new to the team, the Hawks haven't been able to see much yet. But if the live video feeds from Scotland showed even half of what Farkas can offer, the Hawks are in for a good season. While he was in Scotland, I asked him to email me his uniform sizes. He sent an email back saying, "7 1/4 cap, large Jersey, and 32/20 kilt". Oooh, sliding in Scotland must have been a bitch.
Sean Crockett2003 - 2005
#26 CF, Pitcher Linden, NJ
After a brief stint with the Hawks in 2003, Sean rejoins the team in 2004 and offers his speed, arm, and good judgment in the outfield. It almost seems like he can cover the entire outfield from Center and launches bullets back into the infield for plays at any base. Crockett will also be sharing the closing role with his Mo-like cutter. Sean also brings his own fan base to every game…
David Grandmaison2004 - 2006
#19 OF, 1B South Plainfield, NJ
David Grandmaison was the scout’s greatest accomplishment during the 2003 off season. The scouts exceeded the owners expectations when he saw this guy swing the bat. This guy hits like his name sounds. He can hit the ball a ton and his defensive skills are excellent. There could be a clean up spot waiting for David when the season begins. More raises for the scouts are in order.
John Trader2004 - 2006
Ever see the Roadrunner? That is the closest comparison I can make for Trader. This guy’s got some friggin’ wheels on him man. This guy was signed for one reason: He will get to third base 2 pitches after he walks, guaranteed. Speaking of walks, he gets 2 or 3 per game. He is a great situational hitter when he gets a pitch to hit and his defensive skills at second are almost flawless. Look for this guy to lead off and score almost every time he gets on base.
