Mankato, Minn. — The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is thrilled to kick off the 2015 MoonDogs season with the announcement that Jacque Jones will be the opening night guest at Franklin Rogers Park on May 27.
Jones debuted in the MLB on June 9, 1999 with the Minnesota Twins and went on to play 10 seasons in the Majors with seven different teams, including the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and Florida Marlins.
Not only will Jones be on hand to throw out the first pitch for the MoonDogs home opener, presented by Wealth Enhancement Group, but he will also be available to sign autographs and take pictures with fans prior to the game.
The second round pick of the Twins was a part of one of the most well know outfielding crews of the 2000’s, Shannon Stuart and Torri Hunter. He also helped guide the Twins to three division titles in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
In 1996 Jones was a part of the USA Men’s Olympic Baseball team, which captured the bronze medal at the Atlanta Games. He was also a first team All-American outfielder for the University of Southern California in 1994.
"We have a tradition of bringing in great opening night guests to Mankato. We’ve had former Twins help kick off many fantastic MoonDogs seasons," said MoonDogs General Manager Greg Weis. "Jones will be no different, as someone who played a big role in Minnesota, Jacque will make sure that tradition continues in 2015."
With his retirement in June of 2008, Jones finished his MLB career with a .277 average, 165 home runs and 630 RBI.
The MoonDogs home opener is scheduled for May 27th at 7:05 p.m. against the Rochester Honkers at Franklin Rogers Park. Season tickets are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information, visit our website or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.
“The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit http://www.mankatomoondogs.com
