11/16/2004 2:06 PM - KANSAS CITY – RHP Matt McClellan was selected from the Kansas City T-Bones roster during Monday’s Northern League expansion draft held for the new franchises in Calgary and Edmonton. McClellan was picked by the yet to be named Calgary franchise, which now holds his contractual rights.

McClellan, 28, was originally a seventh round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 out of Oakland (MI) University. The opportunity with the new franchise represents a return to the diamonds of Canada for McClellan, who broke in with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays of the Pioneer League back in 1997. McClellan advanced to AAA Syracuse in the Toronto organization before undergoing surgery and missing most of the 2003 season, but rebounded well in 2004 with the T-Bones, posting an 8-6 mark with a 3.90 ERA. Overall, McClellan is 44-41 in eight seasons of pro ball with a 4.06 ERA.

In one of the biggest games for the 2004 T-Bones, McClellan certainly earned his stripes. With the team in the midst of the second-half pennant race, McClellan struck out ten in a complete game effort on August 28 as the T-Bones swept a doubleheader from the Sioux City Explorers. The 4-2 win was the sixth consecutive for Kansas City, which lengthened the streak to nine along the way to a Southern Division second-half title.

“We’re sorry to lose a presence like Matt,” remarked T-Bones Manager Al Gallagher. “He did a great job for us down the stretch and we hate to see him go. We wish him all the best in the future.”

A total of 14 players were selected overall, six by Calgary and eight by Edmonton. Complete draft details are available on the Northern League web site at www.northernleague.com.

– Kansas City T-Bones –