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With the players standing behind him, second-year ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Dirty Birds manager PJ Phillips talks to the media during Media Day at GoMart Ballpark in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Dirty Birds pitching coach Cip Garza (right) watches pitcher Frank Moscatiello of Long Island, N.Y., throw in the bullpen at GoMart Ballpark in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä during Media Day on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
With the players standing behind him, second-year ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Dirty Birds manager PJ Phillips talks to the media during Media Day at GoMart Ballpark in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Dirty Birds pitching coach Cip Garza (right) watches pitcher Frank Moscatiello of Long Island, N.Y., throw in the bullpen at GoMart Ballpark in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä during Media Day on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
The 2024 baseball season was successful on and off the field for the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Dirty Birds, according to team owner Andy Shea during media day on Tuesday at GoMart Ballpark.
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä won the Atlantic League’s South Division on the heels of a 38-25 record in the second half of the season that did not reflect the challenges manager PJ Phillips had in replacing multiple players signed by Major League Baseball franchises over the course of the season.
Pursuit of a repeat season begins on Friday when the Dirty Birds open the season at Lexington with a three-game series against the Legends. The first home game of the season will be on May 2 against Southern Maryland.
“I can tell you this: We will win,†said Phillips, entering his second season at the helm of the Dirty Birds. “The pitching staff is looking real good. The lineup is coming together right now.â€
Phillips said ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä will be balanced in its offensive approach with additions to the lineup that will bring power to complement the players who will provide speed on the base paths.
“Me personally, I’ve got certain goals for certain guys,†Phillips said. “I got a couple of guys who can hit 20-30 home runs. No pressure on them, but I just got a lot of faith in my guys. I’ve got a couple of guys who can steal a lot of bases. We’re just going to try to put it all together.â€
On offense, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä lost first baseman Keon Barnum, who led the Atlantic League in home runs (35) and RBIs (115) last season.
It may take time for the offense to fully adapt to Barnum’s absence and Phillips asked for patience with the lineup.
Pitcher Kyle McGowan, a holdover from the 2024 club, will get the ball to start opening day, Phillips said. Keyvius Sampson, another returning pitcher, is scheduled to start on Saturday.
Sampson, 34, took a break this offseason to rest his body — a break he said he took for the first time in his professional career, which began in 2009.
The starting rotation is “powerful,†Sampson said.
“A little bit with the bullpen,†Sampson said of questions that have yet to be answered for the Dirty Birds. “We’re trying to figure that out.â€
Tuesday’s media day was also about what fans can expect for the season at GoMart Ballpark.
General manager Ben Blum said some of the new features at the game will include a tree perched beyond the center-field fence that will light up after Dirty Birds home runs.
“I think the stadium looks better than it ever has,†said Shea, who said ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ballpark.
Shea said 2024 saw more visitors to the park throughout the calendar year than it ever has.
The Dirty Birds unveiled a sample of new concession-stand offerings such as walking tacos and “more portable options,†Blum said.
A footlong as well as three other styles of hot dogs will be offered this season.
New merchandise in the team store also was on display.
Rick Elmore covers sports. He can be reached at 304-348-5122 or relmore@hdmediallc.com. Follow @ElmoreSports on Twitter/X.
