Mar 20 2025: Mavericks Release Veteran Garza - by Statmeister on November 22nd, 2015
16-year veteran Marco Garza was granted his release by the Santa Ana Mavericks today.
The 35 year-old Garza played sparingly in spring training and requested his release after the Mavericks final exhibition game.
"I saw the writing on the wall" Garza said. "Hopefully I can catch on with another team this season, but if not, I will officially retire."
Garza is the all-time team leader in hits, home runs, runs and RBIs. In addition he was a nine time all-star, was named all-league twice and was voted MVP in 2019.
Oct 16 2021: Ramiro Zavala sets saves mark. - by Statmeister on March 14th, 2015
It started in spring training. Ramiro Zavala had designs on winning a sport in the Mavericks starting rotation. But manager Steve Newton had other ideas.
"Rami has a plus fastball, and one of the best curve balls in the league," Newton explained. "But his changeup and slider were ordinary, and it hurt him as a starter."
Newton made Zavala the closer during the last two months of the 2020 season. He showed flashes of brilliance, but was reluctant to shelve his third and fourth pitches.
"I still had that starters mentality, I wanted to pace myself. I felt my best role on the team was as a starting pitcher," Zavala explained. "At the start of spring training Skip challenged me to try it his way and as time went on, I started having results I had only dreamed about."
Now Ramiro Zavala stands alone at the top of the VI.24 single season save list with 51.
Zavalas's teammates are unanimous in their praise of him. "I'm glad I don't have to face this guy," his battery mate, Harold Massey said. "The break on his curve is incredible. And it makes his fastball all the more effective."
Outfielder Marco Garza got a preview of what was to come in an inter-squad game. "I was up in the count 3 and 1. He was just throwing fastballs, then he broke off the curve. I got a piece of it, but it was only a week ground ball."
"I would have traded all those saves to win the league cup," Zavala concluded. "But we've got a good foundation and the Mavericks will be a force to be reckoned with in 2022."
Mar 12 2021: Mavericks on the move! - by Statmeister on January 14th, 2015
At a joint press conference held at the Mile Square Golf Course, the city of Fountain Valley and the re-branded Fountain Valley Mavericks announced the signing of a two year lease.
"This is a great day for the Mavericks, and the people of Fountain Valley", said team owner Statmeister. "The city showed they are committed to bringing first class sports entertainment to Fountain Valley".
The Mayor of Fountain Valley enthusiastically welcomed the Mavericks. "In the short time I have known the Mavericks' staff, I was impressed with their commitment to building a winning team. We are looking forward to the Mavericks being a part of the community for a long time to come".
Also at the press conference, Statmeister presented a $10,000 check to the Fountain Valley Boys and Girls club.
Mar 04 2021: Are the Mavericks bound for Fountain Valley? - by Statmeister on January 10th, 2015
The Hemet Mavericks have taken the first steps to relocate the team to the Orange County city of Fountain Valley.
A team official, speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed that Maverick executives reached out to the city.
“City leaders were receptive to our proposal and we have further meetings scheduled”, the team official said. He added an official announcement could come as soon as the end of the week.
Fountain Valley recently constructed a baseball stadium in the southeast corner of Mile Square Park, and have been looking for a team to occupy the ballpark. It currently seats 14,500 and can be expanded to meet additional attendance demands.
City staff declined comment on the proposed relocation.
Nov 04 2020: Stadium Negotiations Break Down. - by Statmeister on January 1st, 2015
HEMET, CA – After a week of nearly non-stop talks between the city of Hemet and the Hemet Mavericks, negotiations abruptly broke off last night. At issue is a new lease for the Mavericks at Hemet Stadium.
Team owner Statmeister declined to comment as he left the meetings. However, an unnamed source close to the team cited upgrades to the mobile network infrastructure at the stadium.
“The city is asking the team to bear the full cost of upgrading the mobile and Wi-Fi capabilities at the stadium.” The stadium hosts high school football and baseball games, along with concerts and other events when the Mavericks are on the road and during the off-season. “The team is in no position to bear the full amount of these upgrades, while we would be happy to share the costs with the city.”
When asked if the Mavericks may leave Hemet before next season, the source only said the team was looking at alternatives.