Baseball season is underway, and it won’t be long before the Kelowna Falcons are gracing the local diamond.
Yet this week, one of Kelowna’s rivals, the Victoria HarbourCats, made a splash announcement that can’t be overlooked.
This week, the team revealed that it had signed two prospects, brothers whose dad was a megastar in Major League Baseball.
The sons of Manny Ramirez, who starred for Cleveland and Boston, playing from 1993 to 2011, are heading to Vancouver Island.
HarbourCats managing partner Jim Swanson said the team signed Manny Ramirez Jr., 21, and Lucas Ramirez, 18.
Manny Jr. is described as a right-handed power hitter while Lucas is said to be a lefty with power as well. Both are also outfielders.
“These are notable signings not just for us, but for the entire West Coast League — this will be exciting news for our fans and sponsors, no question,” said Swanson, a former sports reporter and editor.
According to Swanson, former Victoria pitching coach Alec Adam highly recommended the pair.
Adam is also coaching Manny Jr. at East L.A. College, while Lucas is a graduating high school senior in Florida and has committed to the University of Tennessee this fall.
Kelowna’s season starts on May 31 with a three-game homestand against the Nanaimo NightOwls.
Following that, the Falcons will host Victoria, June 3-5. However, that will be Victoria’s only trip to Kelowna this season.
More information about Kelowna’s schedule is available online.