01/06/2004 9:07 AM - (KANSAS CITY, Kan.) –– While it might be cold here in Kansas City, the activity in the Kansas City T-Bones front office is red hot. T-Bones manager “Dirty” Al Gallagher made certain of that when he signed 2003 Northern League Most Valuable Player Eddie Pearson to a 2004 contract.

Pearson, who has compiled a .282 batting average with 98 home runs and 598 runs batted in in his twelve years of professional baseball, had a career year in 2003. After being acquired from the St. Paul Saints in the first month of the season, Pearson caught fire with a .369 batting average, 14 home runs and 72 runs batted in.

Pearson’s .362 overall batting average led the Northern League, as did his 78 runs batted in, and his 14 home runs ranked fourth in the circuit. Most impressively, as the weather heated up, so did Pearson, as he smacked the horsehide around the yard to a .404 clip in the month of August.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to come back to Kansas City,” remarked the amiable Pearson. “CommunityAmerica Ballpark is a beautiful place to play and we are looking forward to contending for the league title in 2004.”

The T-Bones will begin their drive for the Northern League crown on May 20th against the Lincoln Saltdogs. On that night, Pearson will receive his MVP award, and fans attending the game will receive their own memento: an Eddie Pearson bobble-head doll, the first in a series of five.

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!