Tim Cain - Atlantic League All-Time Career Wins and Strikeout Leader

2000 Newark Bears Citation Graphics Team Set #11 (Unsigned)
Autographed 2004 Bridgeport Bluefish Subway Team Set #8

Achieving the level of Triple-A in both the Red Sox and Blue Jays organizations, Tim Cain entered the Atlantic League in its 1998 inaugural year and went on to become the League’s all-time career leader in innings pitched (1150 2/3), wins (74) and strikeouts (737).

With a career that spanned 10 seasons in the Atlantic League, the former UCONN Huskie, had double-digit-win seasons a total of five times toeing the rubber for Newark(’98-’01), Bridgeport (’02-’05),  Long Island (’06-’07)) and Camden (’07) during his tenure. The Springfield, MA native is the only Atlantic League pitcher to win 10 games in each of his first four seasons.

Cain’s Atlantic League signature season came with the Bridgeport Bluefish in 2004, finishing the season 12-3 with a 3.12 ERA and averaging 7.8 hits and less than one home run per nine-inning game.

Rickey Henderson - All-Time Stolen Base and Runs-Scored King

Autographed Baseball & 2003 Newark Bears Team Set Card # 5 (Unsigned)

Through his 24-year MLB career, Rickey Henderson cemented his legend as the greatest lead-off hitter that the game of baseball has ever known.

Henderson gained this distinction by establishing the MLB career marks for runs scored (2,295-surpassing Ty Cobb); and Steals (1,406-surpassing Lou Brock with 50% more stolen bases).

In 2009, the 3,000-Hit-Club member received 94.8% of votes on the BBWAA ballots and was enshrined in Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility.

In 2003, “The Man of Steal” became a member of the Newark Bears and played for two seasons in the Atlantic League; thrilling fans with 37 stolen bases in 2004. Commenting on his tenure in the League, Henderson said: “I had a great time. To tell you the truth, I probably had a better time than I did in the major leagues,”… “In the major leagues, we always worry about how well we’re doing. When I got a chance to play in independent ball, it wasn’t about how well you do but how much fun you’re having, and I had a great time.”

Chris Widger - 10-Year MLB Veteran and Chicago White Sox World Champion

Autographed 2013 Camden Rivershark Choice Team Set #29

Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the third round of the 1992 amateur draft, Chris Widger went on to launch a MLB career spanning 10 seasons and six teams. The Pennsville, NJ native solidified himself as a Major Leaguer by becoming the everyday catcher for the Montreal Expos by 1998, and is a prime example of the second chance the Atlantic League can offer ballplayers.

With no contracts for affiliated ball in 2004, Widger was signed by the Camden Riversharks and suited up for 55 games that year in an effort to continue his career and the hopes of signing with affiliated ball. Within one year, Chris Widger would be a member of the 2005 World Championship White Sox team.

Widger returned to his hometown area in 2012, becoming the pitching coach for the Camden Riversharks; eventually being named the Camden manager for the 2015 season. 

Butch Hobson - Boston Red Sox Third Baseman & Winningest Atlantic League Manager

Autographed 2000 Nashua Pride WMUR9 Team Set;
Autographed 2014 Lancaster Barnstormers Choice Team Set # 27
(Championship Managerial Cards)

Being a Crimson Tide baseball standout at Alabama, as well as in the football program under Bear Bryant, Butch Hobson was signed in the 8th round of the 1973 amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox. By 1976, Hobson was the starting third baseman for the Boston Red Sox.  The Tuscaloosa-native’s MLB career went on to span eight years with additional stops at the California Angels and New York Yankees and featured a stand-out year in 1977 where Hobson put up 30 home runs and 112 RBI’s.

After managing the Boston Red Sox (1992-94), Hobson launched his Atlantic League managerial career with the Nashua Pride in 2000, and lead them to the league championship.  

For the next 15 years, Hobson would be at the helm of Atlantic League teams (Nashua 2000-2007; Southern Maryland 2008-10; Lancaster 2011-15) on his way to becoming the most prolific manager in league history with over 1,031 wins and two League Championships.  (Nashua 2000/Lancaster 2014).

Hobson has been named the Atlantic League Manager of the Year four times

Gary Gaetti - 4X Gold Glove Award Winner and 1987 ALCS MVP

Autographed 2012 Sugar Land Skeeters Choice Team Set #3

Signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1979, Gary Gaetti was instrumental in helping the Twins win their first-ever World Championship in 1987, by his play in the American League Championship Series upsetting the Detroit Tigers. For his efforts, Gaetti was named the 1987 ALCS MVP with 2 home runs, 5 RBI’s and a .650 slugging percentage in the 5-game series.

The 4-time, consecutive Gold Glove third baseman (1986-1989), and two-time All Star (1988/89), was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame in 2007.

Gaetti was named the Sugar Land Skeeters manager in their inaugural season in 2012, and went on to lead his team to 95 wins and a .679 winning percentage in 2013 – an Atlantic League Record.