The Camden Riversharks Golden Years

Autographed 2003 Camden Riversharks Choice Team Set

With the announcement that the Camden Riversharks have ceased operations, I would like to reflect back to a time when they were one of the class teams of the Atlantic League. From 2002 to 2004 the Riversharks had close to a .600 winning percentage; reaching the post season three times consecutively.  Their roster was a Who’s Who of Atlantic League greats including:

Lincoln Mikkelsen: Arguable the greatest pitcher in Atlantic League History. Twice named the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year (2002, 2006), once the Atlantic League Player of the Year (2006) and a deliver a no hitter on June 16^th, 2006. Third place on Atlantic League career list in Innings Pitched (866.1), Wins (62) and Strikeouts (577).

Ben Simon: The Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year in 2003. Pitched three complete-game shutouts that year a season record that still stands.

Ryan Schurman: One of the best pitchers in Atlantic League history. In the 5^th position all time in career Innings Pitched (710.0), Wins (45) and Strikeouts (473).

Francisco Morales: Arguably the greatest catcher in Atlantic League history. 73 home runs and 312 RBI’s in four Atlantic League seasons.

Brad Strauss: On many top-ten career offensive lists for the Atlantic League.

Dwight Maness: Arguably the best combination of power and speed the Atlantic League has even seen. In the Atlantic League top-ten career lists for many offensive categories.

Kevin Jordan: Seven-year Major League Veteran with Philadelphia Phillies. Played with Riversharks for parts of three seasons (2003-05).

Wayne Krenchicki: Manager of Camden; eight-year Major League Veternan with Orioles, Tigers, Reds and Expos.

Brad Strauss; "Mr. Rivershark" - 2003 Atlantic League Batting Champion

Autographed 2003 Camden Riversharks Choice Team Set Card #25

Out of Haddon Township, New Jersey, Brad Strauss had a professional baseball career that stretch fourteen years and by the time he retired “Mr. Rivershark” had spent seven of those years with the Camden Riversharks. The third baseman/infielder had accumulated 889 Hits, 177 Doubles, 391 RBI’s, 497 Runs and 36 Triples in his career with the Atlantic League.

The culmination of Strauss’ career came in 2003, when he was trailing in a batting title race with less than a week left in the season. In the last three games of that season, Strauss went 7 for 9 and claimed the Atlantic League Batting Crown with a .331 mark.

In 2007, The Camden Riversharks retired Strauss’ uniform number, 16, which is the only former Camden player to date to be so honored.