Although the trip was anything but easy, the
Curve welcomed back infielder Brett Roneberg from Pirates’
extended spring training in a roster move announced earlier today
Roneberg was a fan favorite for the Curve back in the 2003 season
and was re-signed by the Pirates as a minor league free agent
this past November
“I’m glad to finally be back here, and excited to get
some at bats” said Roneberg
In 125 games for Altoona in 03’, Roneberg hit .281 with 10
HR and 61 RBI
After the Boston Red Sox signed him from free agency the following
season, Roneberg enjoyed his best season in 2004 as a member of
the Portland Sea Dogs, hitting .278 with a career-high 17 HR and
77 RBI in 124 games and being selected as a mid-season Eastern
League All-Star
The 27-year-old injured his left rotator cuff making a diving
catch while playing for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League
Roneberg was released by Boston shortly after the injury and he
missed the entire 2005 season
“I actually blame Rafael Alvarez who was a teammate of mine
at that time” laughed Roenberg
“He was starting in right field that day and had to come
out early because of a strained groin
I ended up filling in and got hurt”
Roneberg, a member of the Australian National Team, played in
the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, earning a Silver Medal with the
team in Athens in 2004
“It was amazing playing there” said Roneberg, who was
born in Sandringham, Victoria, Australia
“We really held our own, especially in Athens
Winning the Silver Medal is something I’ll never forget”
He also played in three games for Australia in March’s inaugural
World Baseball Classic
Roneberg went 0-5 with an RBI in three games
The 6-foot-2, 216-pound Roneberg has played both the outfield
and infield during his career, but the Curve mainly used him at
first base in 03’
His good discipline at the plate and moderate power make him a
viable threat in the middle of the lineup
The journey back to Altoona was anything but pleasant for Roneberg,
who arrived at Blair County Ballpark only an hour and a half before
game-time Monday after two delayed flights from Tampa and some
lost luggage
“I was delayed two hours in Tampa, one hour in Philly and
when I finally got to State College I realized one of my bags
was on a plane half an hour behind me
It was some trip”
A probable for tomorrow’s lineup, Roneberg is excited about
being back in a Curve uniform and back in Altoona
“After 10 years, four organizations, two Olympics and a World
Baseball Classic I still have some stuff I want to accomplish
This is a great town with great fans, which makes it a great place
to play” said Roneberg
“Everyone up here seems to be hitting the ball real well
and I’m excited to see what happens”
Brett Roneberg endured a traveler’s nightmare
Monday while making his way to Altoona from extended spring training
“I spent two hours on the tarmac in Tampa after we boarded,
got to Philly and was delayed about an hour, got onto the plane
in Philly and just sat there for another hour and a half waiting
for the bags to come” Roneberg said
“I landed in State College and got two of my bags, then had
to wait another half an hour for my bags to come on the next flight"
He arrived at Blair County Ballpark around 5:40 p.m., just in
time for the Curve’s game against Portland
Roneberg didn’t play, but the first baseman/outfielder figures
to be a key part of the team the rest of the season
“I’m finally here now and just happy to be up here and
out of extended spring” the 27-year-old Australian said
Roneberg, who played for the Curve in 2003, is the first player
to return for Altoona after going to another organization
He spent the 2004 season with Portland in the Eastern League,
hitting .278 with a career-high 17 homers and 77 RBIs
A shoulder injury forced Roneberg to miss the 2005 season, and
he’s off to a late start this year thanks to some back spasms
Roneberg brings a proven bat to an already strong Curve lineup
that leads the Eastern League in hitting and runs
He has a .274 career average, and he hit .281 with 10 homers and
61 RBIs for Altoona in 2003
“He’s going to be a huge addition to an already good
team and gives us more depth” Curve manager Tim Leiper said
“Any time you can get a guy like him with his character and
his experience, he just fits right in with this band of misfits”
To make room for Roneberg, reserve infielder Taber Lee was promoted
to Triple-A Indianapolis
Lee hit .167 with two RBIs in six games
The Curve now have a handful of players vying for time at a few
spots, leading Leiper to say he will “have to be a little
creative” with the lineup to get everybody enough playing
time
Roneberg had been expected to be the everyday first baseman this
season, but it will be tough to supplant Simon Pond, who leads
the team with five homers and 16 RBIs
“Pond has earned the right to play first base, and Pond’s
going to play” Leiper said
“We’re going to keep him as comfortable as we can because
he’s sitting there in the middle of the lineup and doing
the job every day”
Roneberg should see some time at first base and the outfield
Pond also can play the outfield and third base, where Brandon
Chaves is filling in for the injured Travis Chapman
Newcomer Brant Ust also plays third
“They can all play, so we’ll find a way” Leiper
said
“Stuff always kind of seems to have a way of working out”
Making things a little easier for now, the Curve get to use the
designated hitter the next nine games
Roneberg tore his rotator cuff playing winter ball in Venezuela
in 2004
In a bit of irony, he wasn’t supposed to play that day but
was needed when teammate Rafael Alvarez, who’s now with the
Curve, pulled his groin
Roneberg thought he’d go to extended spring training with
the Red Sox in 2005 and receive half his salary, but instead,
Boston released him
“I wasn’t very happy with what their move was”
Roneberg said
“I got a phone call that said, ‘no, sorry, we decided
to release you,’ and that was it, the end of my Red Sox career”
Roneberg took the 2005 season off, then got a call from Pirates
farm director Brian Graham for a job with the Curve
He played for Australia in the World Baseball Classic in March
- he’s also played in two Olympics - but sat out most of
the minor league exhibition season with back problems
Now back in Altoona, he’s not sure what his role will be,
but he does know what kind of team he’s coming to
“I’m joining a winning team” Roneberg said, “so
it’s a good place to be”
Infielder Taber Lee has been promoted to Triple-A
Indianapolis and 1B/OF Brett Roneberg has been added to the Curve
roster from extended spring training
Lee hit .167 (2-for-12) in six games for the Curve this season
Roneberg, a native of Australia, played for the Curve during the
2003 season and was re-signed by the Pirates as a minor league
free agent this past November
He did not play in 2005 after injuring his left shoulder while
playing Winter Ball in Venezuela in December 2004
The Curve open a three-game series Monday night against the Portland
Sea Dogs (AA/Boston Red Sox) at Blair County Ballpark
Game time is set for 6:35pm with ballpark gates to open at 5:30pm
RHP Matt Peterson (2-0, 1.13) will make the start for Altoona