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Major League Talent to Play for Aiken

January 17, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Aiken Foxhounds News Release


AIKEN, SC- The Aiken Foxhounds are pleased to announce the signings of former major leaguers Dave Nilsson and Anthony Telford for the 2007 season.

"Dave and Anthony bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Foxhounds roster and staff," said GM Bradley Bell. "They will be valuable as both players and teachers. We are excited to have them as part of the Foxhounds family."

Dave Nilsson was born in Brisbane, Australia and was arguably the most successful Aussie in major league history. Signed as a free agent by the Brewers in 1987 at the age of 18, he made his major league debut at the age of 22, going 1-4 with a 3 run double.

Nilsson, a catcher, went on to play eight seasons in the majors, all with the Milwaukee Brewers, and enjoyed his best year in 1999 when he hit .309 with 21 homeruns and became the first Australian to ever make a MLB All-Star team.

Nilsson went on to tally more than 100 homeruns with the Brewers, including six straight 10+ homerun seasons. Nilsson has also represented Australia at the Olympics on several occasions, winning a silver medal in 2004, and most recently played for his home country during the World Baseball Classic in 2006. Dave is currently the national hitting instructor for Australian baseball.

"Dave and Anthony not only played extensively on the Major League level, but they excelled at their respective positions," shared Foxhounds Manager Chris Bando." They are proven competitors both on and off the field."

Joining Nilsson in Aiken this summer will be former big leaguer Anthony Telford. Telford played nine seasons in the majors and will not only make appearances out of the Foxhounds bullpen, but will double as the team's pitching coach for the 2007 season.

Telford grew up in San Jose, CA and attended San Jose State University where he starred for the Spartans from 1985-1987. After college, Telford was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 3rd round of the 1987 draft.

During the summer of 1990, Telford made his Major League debut against the eventual AL Champion Oakland Athletics. He went on to record seven shutout innings against a lineup that included Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire.

Telford was granted free agency by the Orioles after the '93 season and a rash of injuries forced him to miss most of the next three seasons. Always a hard worker, Telford made his way back to the mound with the Montreal Expos in 1997 and spent the next five seasons as a reliever for the club. Telford finished his big league career with the Texas Rangers in 2002.

"Both of these men are committed to the league's philosophy of player development and have a desire to help younger players improve," said Bando. "They will be a tremendous asset not only to our players, but to the entire South Coast League.

The South Coast League is a six-team based independent professional baseball league located in the Southeastern U.S. First pitch is scheduled for May of 2007.

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