Third baseman joins roster for 2014

(Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon)

(Central Islip, N.Y., Feb. 18, 2014) – The Long Island Ducks today announced that they have signed infielder Chris McClendon. The 26-year-old, who was acquired from the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League for a player to be named later, begins his first season with the Ducks and in the Atlantic League.

“Chris has had a great deal of success throughout the first five years of his career,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “We’re confident he’ll contribute greatly to our success in 2014.”

McClendon spent the first five seasons of his career in the independent Frontier League, spending three seasons with the Grizzlies and two with the River City Rascals. In 2013 with Gateway, he finished fifth in the league with a .327 batting average. He also tied for fifth in runs scored with 66, seventh in on-base percentage at .415 and 10th in hits with 101. Along with compiling seven homers, 49 RBI, 21 doubles and 42 walks and 14 stolen bases, the Texas native earned an All-Star Game selection as the starting third baseman for the West Division.

Prior to 2013, the University of Kentucky alum also earned an All-Star appearance in 2011 while playing for River City. That season, he batted .332 with four homers, 34 RBI, 23 doubles and 34 walks to only 24 strikeouts. He set a career-high in walks (53) and stolen bases (33) the year prior. In 319 career games, McClendon has a .303 batting average, a .408 on-base percentage, 158 RBI, 226 runs, 77 doubles and 177 walks to just 181 strikeouts.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

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