This past summer, Division Avenue High School had three of its graduate baseball players playing professional baseball.

Shawn Fagan, a graduate of the class of 1996 and member of the undefeated state championship baseball team that season, started out in spring training with the Toronto Blue Double AA New Haven Raven Team. As camp advanced, Shawn was called up to the major league team and went three for 10 in spring training as an understudy to Carlos Delgado, one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball. Shawn was eventually returned to the Blue Jay Double AA team, where he batted a very healthy .314. Shawn was second on his team in hitting and was ninth in hitting for the entire league. He also placed fifth in the league in on-base percentage, one of the top categories in offensive production.

Chris Flinn, a 1998 graduate and third round pick of Tampa Bay out of Stony Brook University, started the year off at Bakersfield in the California League. Chris sported a 7-5 record with his team and was promoted in mid-season to the Tampa Bay Double AA team in Orlando. Chris performed well there with a 2.57 ERA.

Lastly, Ryan Darcy, a 1999 graduate of Division and leading member of the 1999 Long Island Championship team and recent graduate of Manhattan College, was signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Jackals of the Northern League. The Jackals are located in New Jersey and their home field is Yogi Berra Stadium, site of the Yogi Berra Museum. Ryan also had a fine season as a rookie, posting a 2-2 record. At one point during the season, Ryan racked up a total of 18 straight innings without allowing an earned run.

In true Division fashion, both Darcy and Fagan helped their teams into the playoffs. Ryan's team got knocked out in the first round but Shawn's won their first round in a three out of five series. As luck would have it, Shawn had the game-winning base hit in the pivitol fifth game to send the New Haven Ravens onto the Double AA Championship series which is currently being played.

Congratulations to all three players for their tremendous seasons and continued success as they prepare for promotions in future assignments within their own organizations.