Major leagues: September 2009 Archives

A former No. 1 overall draft pick, Ben McDonald is prepared to attend a bow hunting trip organized by former Revs manager Chris Hoiles.

The following story appeared in the Daily Record/Sunday News.

The two men have been good friends almost from the day they pulled on Baltimore Orioles' uniforms.

Ben McDonald and Chris Hoiles broke into the majors during the same season. Hoiles had been a slugging catching prospect, working through the minors. McDonald had a more direct route after being touted as one of the best prospects to ever come out of college.

Here's some good news for York baseball fans: Corey Thurman is scheduled to return to the mound Friday. Manager Andy Etchebarren has named him the starter Friday against Lancaster. The former Blue Jays reliever has not pitched since July 8, weeks before a blood clot was discovered in his pitching hand.

Thurman had been one of the best starting pitchers for York before experiencing numbness in his palm and fingers. Describing the discomfort as a dull ache, even on the days he didn't pitch, Thurman pulled himself out of the lineup. He underwent several tests before doctors discovered a clot near his palm.

Thurman's return to the mound will highlight a six-game homestand, the Revs' final series at Sovereign Bank Stadium. Dover graduate Shawn Hedrick is scheduled to pitch Saturday. The team closes out their home schedule with a three-game set against Long Island starting Monday.