10/14/2003 10:07 AM - Havana, Cuba - This off-season, the Kansas City T-Bones have gone international.

T-Bones relief pitcher D.J. Johnson, who went 7-2 with 17 saves while posting a 2.45 ERA for the T-Bones in 2003, is proving to be an integral part of the U.S. World Cup team, which is contesting for the 35th World Cup title at four sites in Cuba.

On October 12th, Johnson hurled a scoreless inning in Team USA’s 4-0 win over Mexico. Johnson, a 1997 ninth-round pick of the Colorado Rockies after he finished his career at Kansas State, is a resident of Baxter Springs, KS.

“We’re proud of the work D.J. has done with Team USA,” said T-Bones Manager “Dirty” Al Gallagher. “He was one of the mainstays of our pitching staff in 2003, and we fully expect him to be an anchor in 2004.”

The international tournament is contested in a round-robin format in the early rounds, with Team USA in Group B along with Japan, the Netherlands, China, France, Brazil, Panama, and Mexico. Team USA’s next contest will be Tuesday against Brazil, and the American squad will face off against Panama on Wednesday. The medal round of the tournament commences in Havana October 22nd.

After a successful inaugural campaign, the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League are eagerly preparing for their second season. For information about creative sponsorship packages, season tickets, and group outings, please call the T-Bones front office at 913/328-BALL, or visit the T-Bones web site at www.tbonesbaseball.com. The Kansas City T-Bones… Fun Well Done!