The first five Trappers to be signed to major-league organizations were announced Tuesday night following the club's Pioneer League Championship victory at Derks Field over the Great Falls Dodgers.
The Montreal Expos purchased the contracts of center fielder Rick Hirtensteiner, who led the league in RBI and home runs , hit .356 and was named the club's MVP; pitcher Kevin McDonald (7-1, 3.05, second in Pioneer strikeouts with 85; pitcher Mark Stephens (6-3) whose 2.43 ERA was best in the league among starting pitchers and who led the league in strikeouts with 89; and relief pitcher John Gilligan (6-1), who led the league in ERA at 1.71 and was fourth in strikeouts with 78.Trapper Eddie Ortega will also move up once immigration paperwork is taken care of.
While those five move on in their careers, it appears that Manager Nick Belmonte will be back for a third season in Salt Lake in 1992. "As of right now, yeah, I accepted the offer to come back," said Belmonte, whose 93-51 record includes one Pioneer League championship and two division titles.
- Linda Hamilton