Mark Kelly throws a one-hit shutout of the New South Wales Patriots 

ByTom

2008 – Mark Kelly, a former Philadelphia Phillies farmhand, throws a one-hit shutout of the New South Wales Patriots in game two of the Claxton Shield finals to give the Western Australia Heelers the title. Kelly allows only a Gavin Fingleson single in shutting down a lineup which includes former California League batting champion Brendan Kingman. Mitch Graham’s solo homer off Pitcher of the Year Tim Cox is the only run of the contest. Kelly is named MVP of the 2008 Shield.

Keith Foulke comes out of retirement, signing a one-year contract with the A’s

ByTom

After auditioning for about two-thirds of the teams in the major leagues last month and considering offers from four clubs, Keith Foulke comes out of retirement, signing a $700,000, one-year contract with the A’s. The 35 year-old reliever, best known for throwing the last pitch in the 2004 World Championship for the victorious Red Sox, retired prior to the 2007 season after signing a deal with the Indians.