Laredo Broncos Sign Laredo Native O.J. GARZA

The Laredo Broncos of the United League announce that they have signed outfielder O.J. Garza to a 2009 contract.

Garza grew up in Laredo and went to college at St. Mary’s.  He has played 5 years in professional baseball and has a lifetime batting average of .265 with 16 career homers and 118 RBI.  Broncos Field Manager Ricardo Cuevas coached Garza in high school, and can’t wait to work with him again, “O.J. Garza is a tremendous baseball player.  I have seen him play since he was in high school and he can do it all.  He has great range in the outfield and has a solid bat.  He will be a great addition to this ballclub.”

Garza has played for the Edinburg Road Runners, the Evansville Otters, and the Richmond Roosters.  His best seasons came with the Otters in his 3 seasons there.  Garza is ranked in the Otters all time top 10 in many categories.  He is 3rd all time in games played, at bats, and hits.  He is also 7th in triples, 6th in RBI, 9th in runs scored and 4th in total bases.  Also in 2004 Garza hit for the cycle as a member of the Otters and he was the first player in 5 years in the frontier league to hit for the cycle.

The Broncos have been striving to get some hometown talent on the team for years, and with the addition of Garza, General Manager Jose Melendez is starting to achieve that. “I have been trying since 2006 to bring O.J. Garza to his hometown team the Broncos.  To finally be able to bring in a player like that is a huge boost for the ballclub.  I know our field manager Ricardo Cuevas was a big help in landing him, and I can’t wait to see him in a Broncos uniform.”a

The Laredo Broncos begin their 4th season in 2009. The Broncos will play a 80 game season from June to September with 36 home games at Veterans Field.  Season tickets and Sponsorship Packages are on sale in the Laredo Broncos office located at 2200 Santa Maria or can be contacted at 723-BASE (2273) or on the web at www.laredobroncos.com.

Laredo Broncos Welcome Back Gregorio Martinez

The Laredo Broncos of the United League announce that starting pitcher Gregorio Martinez will return to the club for the 2009 season along with starter Maximo De La Cruz.

Last year, Martinez was an United League All-Star for the Broncos as he went 6-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 17 starts.  The record is a little bit misleading as in many of his games he could have won, but either did not have enough run support or the bullpen blew leads for him.  His ERA was the 7th best in the league last year and he finished 2nd in the league behind his teammate Santos Hernandez in strikeouts with 116. 

Martinez had a breakout season in the 2008-2009 in the Liga Veracruzana, which is a Mexican Winter League.  In 11 starts for Gallos De Santa Rosa he went 7-1 with a 2.44 ERA.  His 7 wins were good to be tied for 3rd in the league and his 56 strikeouts led the league.  His ERA was also in the top 10 in the league. 

Last year was Martinez’s first year in independent ball as he was in the San Francisco Giants organization playing rookie and class A baseball.  Broncos Field Manager Ricardo Cuevas is looking forward to watching Martinez pitch for the Broncos, “Gregorio has shown from his past work that he can be the ace of a pitching staff.  With him at the top of the rotation, is only going to help win games for this ballclub.”

The Broncos also return Maximo De La Cruz to the 2009 team.  Last year was a tough year for De La Cruz as he was injured for most of the 2008 season.   He made 4 relief appearances for the Broncos and had no record with a 2.84 ERA.  In 2007, He pitched for the Harlingen WhiteWings and had a very good season with them going 6-7 with a 4.36 ERA in 17 starts.  De La Cruz was signed as non drafted free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2001.  He played in their organization from 2002-2006.

The Laredo Broncos begin their 4th season in 2009. The Broncos will play a 80 game season from June to September with 36 home games at Veterans Field.  Season tickets and Sponsorship Packages are on sale in the Laredo Broncos office located at 2200 Santa Maria or can be contacted at 723-BASE (2273) or on the web at www.laredobroncos.com.

City of Laredo Health Department: Swine Flu Hotlines

A hotline has been instituted by City of Laredo Health Department. If anyone has questions, concerns or needs clarification regarding swine flu, symptoms, preventive measures or other issues, please call (956) 795-4921.  This number will connect the caller to a live attendant who will answer their questions.

As of today the hours of operation for the hotline have been extended from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The previous number, (956) 795-4954 will connect the caller to a pre-recorded message in English and Spanish.

Additionally, there will be an alternative after hour phone number which is, (956) 763-2915. There is also a 24-hour pager number available, which is (956) 334-1569.   
The Texas Department of State Health Services also has a flu hotline in place for the general public.  The number is 1-888-777-5320.

Swine Flu in Texas Update:

DSHS has reported 16 confirmed human cases of swine influenza this year in Texas, including a child from Mexico City who died earlier this week in a Houston-area hospital.

The other 15 cases are from the following counties: Cameron (1), Dallas (3), Fort Bend (1), Guadalupe (8) and Starr (2) counties.

Earliest known illness onset date: April 8

Latest known illness onset date: April 24

DSHS continues to work with federal and local public health agencies in the ongoing investigation. DSHS is asking hospitals, doctors and others to be especially alert for other possible cases.

People are urged to follow standard precautions to reduce the spread of any respiratory illness.

*Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.

*Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.

*Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Disney on Ice @ LEC

Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey from April 30 – May 3, 2009 @ the Laredo Entertainment Center  showtimes are:  Thursday & Friday  at 7:30pm; Saturday at 2:30pm & 6:30pm; and Sunday at 2:30pm. This is definitely a Great event for all the Family to Enjoy!!

Friends of the Library “Spring Used Book Sale”

The Friends of the Library Spring Used Book Sale will be held this weekend, Saturday, May 2, 2009 and Sunday May 3, 2009 at the Laredo Public Library at 1120 East Calton Road, during regular Library hours. There will be something for everyone, at bargain basement prices.  The proceeds of this event will help provide financial support for special projects to enhance library service, augment the library’s book collection and elevate the community’s awareness of the education opportunities available at the Laredo Public Library

For additional information, including library hours, visit the Laredo Public Library at 1120 East Calton Road, call (956) 795-2400.

IT’S READING DAY!!

Join the Laredo Public Library for a celebration for children and their families to promote reading. The celebration emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.  There will be snacks, including popcorn and cotton candy, lots of fun and plenty of information from organizations who serve children. The Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros event will be on Thursday, April 30, 2009, from 4:00—6:30 p.m. and is absolutely Free to the public!
For more information, call the Laredo Public Library at 795-2400

Canada’s Finest DJ McFlipside this Saturday @ Las Cananas

Las Cananas & Dj Mister H are bringing you Canada’s FINEST DJ MC Flipside and he will be in Laredo this Saturday @ Las Cananas.  DJ MC Flipside has toured the world several times, repeatedly igniting countries like: Canada, U.S. , Mexico, Holland, Slovenia, Austria, Puerto Rico, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany and England . As his international presence grew, so did the interest of some major international superstars. Flipside was invited to headline alongside Black Eyed Peas, Run DMC, Wu Tang Clan, De La Soul, KRS 1, Sir Mix A Lot, Dee Lite, D12, and Mos Def. He was the only Canadian MC ever to be featured on the hugely popular Moonshine Records imprint. His music has been licensed by Sony BMG Australia, by DJ Jean for MTV Ibiza, and by superstar DJ/Producer Antoine Clamaran. Flip has also collaborated with award winning producers like Juno Winner Hatiras, Granite & Phunk, Dub Deluxe, Tune Brothers, Jamie Fanatic, Juno Nominee M1, Paranoid Jack, Baby Anne, Deekline, Double C, and countless others. MC Flipside appeared on the underground smash hit “Vegas” produced by the renowned electronic producer D Fuse. The track was featured on NBC’s hit show “Vegas” and MTV’s Road Rules. Flipside also scored two #1 hits on CBC’s Galaxie Radio: Freak the Frequency and Acid the Phenomenon. You cannot miss this GREAT SHOW!!

Visit MC Flipside’s Myspace Page: myspace.com/mcflipside

Broncos Return 4 Players From 2008 Roster

The Laredo Broncos of the United League have re-signed 4 members from their 2008 ballclub.  The 4 players are OF Anthony Bennett, INF/DH Matt Imwalle, SP Dan Sausville, and RP Nathan Crawford.

Bennett was a starter for the 08 team primarily playing left and right field.  He hit .263 on the season with 2 HR’s and 31 RBI.  His biggest asset was his patience at the plate as he drew 54 walks and had an on base percentage of .408 both of which led the team.  Imwalle came over late in the 2008 season but had a big impact with his bat.  In 20 games he hit .300 with 2 HR’s and 15 RBI.  Many of those 15 run batted in came in late game situations that helped the Broncos get some big wins.  Broncos Field Manager Ricardo Cuevas is expecting great things from his hitters, “Anthony Bennett and Matt Imwalle provide 2 big bats to put in our lineup.  They have been in Laredo before, and know what it takes to make this team successful.”

Pitching wise the Broncos got a lot of use out of Sausville.  Sausville one of Laredo’s workhorses went 3-3 last year with a 5.40 ERA in 33 appearances which was the 2^nd most on the team.  Sausville will be a starter this year, as he did make 4 starts a year ago.  Nathan Crawford returns for his 2^nd year with the Broncos.  Crawford made 18 relief appearances for the Broncos in 2008 and went 0-2, but got out of some big jams late in games. 

Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez is happy to have the returning players, “ I was pleased with the way these 4 players contributed with the team last year.  I am looking forward to seeing them do the same again this year.” 

The Laredo Broncos begin their 4^th season in 2009. The Broncos will play a 80 game season from June to September with 36 home games at Veterans Field.  Season tickets and Sponsorship Packages are on sale in the Laredo Broncos office located at 2200 Santa Maria or can be contacted at 723-BASE (2273)

Free Food @ Tacolare

This is open to EVERYONE and lasts ALL DAY!!!  This promotion will ONLY take place on April 30 @ the Mcpherson location from 7am to 10pm.

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