Nashua Pride

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About the Pride:

      The mission of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. is to bring a high level of professional baseball and affordable family entertainment to selected communities not presently being served by Major League or Minor League Teams.  Enter the Nashua Pride Professional Baseball Club.  The Pride, one of six Atlantic League charter members along with Atlantic City, NJ, Bridgeport, CT, Lehigh Valley, PA, Newark, NJ, and Somerset, NJ, open their third season of play at historic Holman Stadium (built in 1937) in Nashua, New Hampshire.  Along with the six charter members of the Atlantic League, two new teams have been added:  Long Island, NY and Aberdeen, MD.

Nashua's rich professional baseball history dates back to the Nashua Millionaires of the 1930's, the Nashua Dodger teams of the 40's and the Nashua Angels and the Nashua Pirates teams of the 80's.  On opening night 1998, the Pride got things started in style by retiring the numbers of baseball pioneers Jackie Robinson (42), Roy Campanella (39), and Don Newcombe (36).  Over half a century ago, these three men broke major league baseball's racial barrier by becoming the first African Americans to play organized baseball as we know it, Campanella and Newcombe right here in Nashua.  Opening night drew a capacity crowd of 4,375 to a beautifully renovated Holman Stadium.

Since 1998, the Pride have sent five members of their on-field family to major league baseball.  The Pride celebrate the accomplishment of these individuals by displaying their uniform numbers on the facade of the Holman Stadium press box.

#4 - Milt Cuyler - After batting .309 in 73 games with the Pride in 1998, Cuyler received an early September call from the soon-to-be A.L. West Division Champion Texas Rangers.  Milt split the 1999 season in the Texas organization with AAA Tulsa.  Cuyler returns to the Nashua Pride for the start of the 2000 season.

#10 - Joe Grahe - The former California Angels closer was 4-3 with a 2.44 ERA for the Pride in 1998.  His contract was purchased by the New York Yankees on July 18, 1998.  Grahe went 4-2 for AAA Columbus in 1998.  He was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies Organization in 1999.  For AA Reading, Joe compiled a 0.90 ERA. He went 3-1 for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before getting the call from the Phillies where he appeared in 13 games with a record of 1-3 and a 3.86 ERA.  Grahe started the 2000 season with AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

#11 - Angel "Papo" Davila - Joined the Pride as pitching coach under manager Bobby Tolan on July 22, 1999.  Davila is now a coach for the Cleveland Indians of the American League.

#24 - Mike Easler - "The Hit Man" ...The first manager in Nashua Pride history in 1998 made his presence felt on and off the field.  On the field, Easler led the first-year Pride to an outstanding record of 59-41.  Off the field, Easler was active in many civic and community events.  Easler is now batting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League.

#28 - Felix Jose - The Atlantic League's co-player of the year in 1998, Jose had a remarkable season for the Pride.  In 98 games, Felix batted .343 with a slugging percentage of .645 and an on-base percentage of .469.  Jose had 112 hits including 19 doubles, one triple, 26 homers and 86 RBI's.  Felix Jose is now a member of the New York Yankees organization.