Ortiz returns to Japan
March 6, 2008 by Jason Guarente
Former Barnstormers third baseman Jose Ortiz has returned to the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League. You may recall he started last season in Mexico before joining manager Bobby Valentine’s club in the Far East.
Ortiz played mostly second base for Lotte. He batted .284 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 67 games.
In my three years covering the Barnstormers, Ortiz remains the team’s most interesting story. That’s partly because of his status as a former uberprospect and partly because of his exteme misfortune.
Ortiz was likely days away from getting an offer from an affiliated club in May of 2005 when he suffered a torn biceps in his left arm while taking a swing in a game at Newark. He was out until the following season, when he helped the Barnstormers win a championship.
Now 30, it doesn’t appear as though Ortiz will ever get another shot with a big-league organization. But all is not lost. He’s making great money in Japan and he remains arguably the best right-handed hitter the Barnstormers have ever employed.
In the above clip, you see Ortiz hitting a 135 km fastball over the center-field wall. That sounds fast, but it’s only 84 mph. You can also hear the crowd chanting his name in Yankee Stadium fashion, which is pretty cool.
Just saw where the Ducks signed PJ Rose. It is also interesting watching the Revolution signings since they are done by Gladstone.
I’m going to look at the Revs’ signings tomorrow. So far, they’ve done what the Barnstormers have done — bring back most of the same position players.
Glad to see Rose back, alway’s play’s hard,and not that bad a player.
If you already done this, please forgive me Jason.
Have you thought of doing an interview with Rose about being the son of Pete Rose and life in the Atlantic League with the name Rose.
Even though he is not a Barnstormer, it feel it would be interesting reading.