Former 'Canes Open Up Major League Baseball Season

April 4, 2006

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – While the Miami baseball team got its season underway more than two months ago, eight former Hurricanes spread across six Major League Baseball rosters opened their professional seasons Sunday and Monday.

Danny Graves (1992-94), who is fifth on Miami’s all-time relief appearances list with 99 and fourth all-time at UM with 29 saves, pitched two-thirds of an inning of relief for the Cleveland Indians in an opening-day loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Current teammate and former Hurricane alum, Jason Michaels (1997-98) went 1-for-4 in the no. 2 spot and started in left field for the Indians. Michaels holds school records for hits in a season (tied, 106 in 1997), doubles in a season (32 in 1997) and total bases in a season (189 in 1997).

Pat Burrell (1996-98) homered and doubled to start his sixth season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Burrell, who owns an all-time best average of .442 at Miami, crushed 61 home runs and drove in 187 runs in his three-year career at UM, which culminated with a Golden Spikes Trophy in 1996.

San Diego catcher Mike Piazza (1987) homered in his debut with the Padres on Monday.

Alex Cora (1994-96) was on the Boston Red Sox’ opening-day roster, as was Orlando Palmiero (1990) for the Houston Astros. Charlton Jimerson (1998-2001) was listed on Houston’s 40-man roster to start the 2006 MLB season.

A host of former Hurricanes will grace the rosters of more than a dozen minor league teams, which will progressively set their rosters in time for their respective seasons.

Fans can follow the progress of former Hurricanes in their pro careers on a weekly basis, starting next week (April 10), on hurricanesports.com.