Aug. 23, 2000
Fairfield, Conn. - While the Stags completed their most successful season ever over three months ago and amateur summer leagues are winding down, two former Fairfield players are still on the diamonds playing professional baseball. Jim Manias ('96) is now with the Cincinnati Reds organization and Andy Larned ('98) is in his third season with the Boston Red Sox organization.
Manias, originally a 25th-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1996, was recently promoted to the Reds AA-affilate Chattanooga Lookouts in the Southern League. The lefty carried a 1-2 record with a 3.90 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 32.0 innings pitched as of August 23. Prior to his promotion he played with their A-affiliate Dayton Dragons in the Midwest League where he posted a 6-6 mark with a 3.22 ERA. At the time he was leading the league in strikeouts (109), complete games (6) and innings pitched (120.1).
Larned is currently a member of the Red Sox' Class A-affiliate Augusta Green Jackets in the South Atlantic League. As of August 23 he was batting .212 with eight doubles, 15 RBI and three stolen bases. Larned was a 23rd-round draft pick in 1998.
