USA – In one of the last pre-season transactions for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the club has re-signed one of the most notable names in its short history. Starting pitcher John Halama is back in the fold for 2009, after beginning last season with the Blue Crabs and ending it in the Cleveland Indians organization. Halama, who is entering his 16th year as a professional, has spent time in the Major Leagues in nine seasons with seven different teams.

With a career Major League record of 56-48, Halama made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros in 1998, going 1-1 in six starts. Halama was then sent to the Seattle Mariners in October of that year, as the player to be named later in the trade that sent hurler Randy Johnson from Seattle to Houston before the trade deadline earlier that season. Halama would spend the next four seasons on the Mariners roster, amassing a 41-31 record in 130 appearances and 81 starts from 1999 through 2002.

Through free-agency, Halama would go on to suit up in the big leagues for the Oakland Athletics (2003), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004), and the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals in 2005. Halama’s last season in the Major Leagues came in 2006, when he went 3-1 in 17 appearances and a start for the Baltimore Orioles.

Orange County Flyers Sign Damian Jackson

The Orange County Flyers of the independent professional Golden Baseball League (GBL) have announced that they have agreed to terms with former major league infielder Damian Jackson. The 11-year major league veteran was the starting shortstop for the San Diego Padres at the turn of the century and last played in the majors in 2006 with the Washington Nationals

Jackson, 35, 5-11, 180, was signed out of Laney College in Oakland in the 1992 draft by the Cleveland Indians. He rose through their farm system and was in the big leagues four years later playing for the great Tribe teams of the mid-90s. Traded to Cincinnati and then San Diego, he was the regular shortstop and then second baseman for that team from 1999 – 2001.

The speedy infielder, with over 130 stolen bases in the majors, remained in the big leagues through the 2006 season before becoming a free agent. Last year he played in the east coast-based independent Atlantic League.

Barnstormers Ink Former Big League Pitcher Jon Huber

The Lancaster Barnstormers bullpen is getting a Big-League shot in the arm. Former Seattle Mariners reliever Jon Huber will join the Barnstormers for 2009, the team announced today.

Huber, 27, had tours of duty with the Mariners in both 2006 and 2007. In 2006, the California native took advantage of a late-season promotion from Class AAA Tacoma, picking up a pair of wins and posting a 1.08 ERA in 16 appearances down the stretch. He was not scored upon over his final 11 1/3 innings that season.

The right-hander returned to Seattle in May of the following year and eventually worked in nine games with a 4.76 ERA. He spent all of last season in Tacoma, going 4-3 with a 6.40 ERA.

Originally signed as a starting pitcher by San Diego, Seattle converted him to the bullpen for the 2006 season. Huber took to the role, saving 23 games at Class AA San Antonio and Tacoma before his Major League callup.

Tags: Independent League