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We are
Los Tiburones�
Making their debut in 2008, the Tiburones are the brainchild of former semi-pro player and now Tiburones General Manager, James Mojica.� A former catcher and pitcher, James created a team with the same qualities he valued as a player.� James always appreciated his innate work ethic and the winning attitude he developed through his years of playing baseball.� He has achieved this same balance of work ethic and attitude in his team. The Tiburones players have been carefully selected to accommodate players from all walks of life, who, like James, play hard and work hard to achieve excellence.
Understanding how growing up in the inner city can sometimes be overwhelming to talented athletes, he is aware that the choices young players make can make or break their baseball future.� James has chosen to help these up and coming talents get on track to creating fabulous lives for themselves, whether professional baseball is in their future or not.
The Tiburones franchise helps each individual player with life choices outside of baseball.� Such activities include guiding players through the college search process and/or helping them to obtain sustainable employment.� For now, the Tiburones are a self-funded organization, and we hope to connect with prospective and viable sponsors for the 2009 season.� Benefits and the various types of sponsorship may be discussed with James via email at theheadtiburon@gmail.com.�
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Team�Updates and News
Conversations with The Head Tiburon
The Tiburones of 2009 had alot of potential for greatness.� Some of the greatness was met and others showed late into the season.� This was and has always been�the vision of GM James Mojica when he formed the�Tiburones back in 08' after leading the New York Empire in 07'.� "I formed the�Tiburones because I wanted a latino team that actually gave a hoot about their families, themselves, and the team.� Those players who are not latino are instantly transformed into latinos when they join the team...lol.� We�have Alex Rodriguez cousin send false birth certificates from DR so they can play on the team..LOL.� Nah but seriously...I wanted my players to have the option of playing for a team that was 100% honest about fees, and playing time.��I would have to say 2009 was a great year for amassing some of the greatest bunch of guys around and this�I atribute to my knowingness of players."��
James' knowingness of players is what kept the�Tiburones in the playoff picture for such a long time.� "There were a few games we could have had.� That is what I am preparing for in 2010.� I review all the games of the 09' season...I break it down...and improve the team.� Can't say it enough...pitching pitching pitching."� With returning ace Lou Lou coming back the Tiburones look to add a few more good arms to the team.� "We've added another pitcher to our squad.� We all feel this guy is going to be able to have the opportunity to flourish in our system.� We believe in him highly and have alot of confidence in his abilities.� We're all looking forward to seeing him toss his first game as�a Tiburon"�
In� the beginning of the Tiburones 2009 season there was an uncertainess over the team and the lineup...hence�the Tiburones got off to a 0-5 start...the entire team was glad GM James Mojica decided to step�into leading the team and hoped for a new beginning.� It turned out to be a heads up move as the team flourished.� Under Mojica the Tiburones went 14-12-1.��"I knew certain things had to be done.� We needed to strengthen our infield quick if we were going to have any shot.� I made changes.� I placed an injured Fhernando Offerman at DH and placed�Jay Bonet at SS(1st game)�& 3rd(2nd game), Jerry Olivo went to 2nd, Wilfredo Otero played short in game 2's, David Fana played 3rd at the beginning until he found his home at 2nd, but the infield needed a 1st baseman and we got one in Sean Perrett.��Sean gave us an�edge at�1st and at the dish.��Sean also looked great behind the dish at catcher too.� It gave us options.� Defensively we looked and felt better.� At one point our outfield consisted of Jerry Olivo in center, Robert Fernandez in right, and Maximo Polonia in left.� The outfield was solid!� Our infield got even stronger when we were finally able to put Fhernando Offerman back at SS after some nagging injuries kept him from playing there but all in all 2009 showed alot of guys with character and guts."��
The Tiburones almost made the playoffs in 2009 missing it for the second year in a row.� "The playoffs were there for the taking.� There were key games that basically we coulda, shoulda, woulda, but didn't.� But every team goes through bumps...its how you recover from those bumps that is important.��Any person can step up and call himself a manager but it takes a true lover of the game..a True Manager to be able to take the good with the bad.� I never left my teams side.� I was there when things were terrible and I was also there when things were great!� My guys respect that in me and I respect that in my guys.� In three years I have always come back stronger and stronger and its because I understand what I want on my team.� Sometimes, as a manager, we see alot more in our players than they see in themselves...thats being a manager...thats loving the game.� This year my players saw how hard I worked at making things better and many have thanked me for that but I thank them for believing in the team...for believing in the players around them...for believing in the ultimate goal...for believing in themselves."�
So where do the Tiburones go from here?� "Right now I am looking to add two more pitchers and�one position player.� I have tried out some guys but my search continues.� Hopefully in the next�coming days I will meet some new players.� I want guys who can flat out play."��
2009 ended without a playoff birth are you bitter?��"Not at all.��It wasn't our time.� We came close but there will be another time another year.� We will get stronger and prepare harder.� We�will recruit more carefully bringing team oriented players onto the team and we'll take it from there.� I'm just so proud that I am here..running my team...having fun with the guys that want to�win and play hard...we're just having a great time!"
The Tiburones looking forward and preparing well for 2010.� The guys are happy with the new players and the new players want to be here!� The entire team is working hard to become stronger.��The players understand the potential of the guys around them.� They also know they will give 100% at every game�with a total no quit attitude.
They are addressing their needs carefully and intelligently.� The Tiburones in 2010.�
Tiburones Switch Focus
With the season coming to an end the Tiburones are only left to look back at everything�that either went right and wrong in their summer of 2009'.� The right�having been the additions of pivotal players like�their MVP/SS Fhernando Offerman and�their CY Young/All Star/Ace Starter Louis Meichsner.� The Tiburones were lead most of the way by these two gentlemen as they came so close to getting into the playoffs, but the dark horse of not having enough pitching and timely hitting clouded the Tiburones chances of getting.� This off season is however different than most as many�of the Tiburones have�happily decided to return for another chance at getting closer to the ultimate goal.
The�Tiburones starter 09' with alot of new fresh faces as one familiar face greeted them.� The familiar face was that of General Manager James Mojica.��Mojica knew the task at hand was not going to be easy but he took his time and assembled a squad of guys who understood the meaning of what Mojica says is, "seeing the job through�no matter whats in the way."� So why did the 2009 team come so close?� We asked Mojica the same thing.� "Coming close is cool but it was not our goal.� Alot of us wanted more but�things needed to work out this way in order for us to realize the importances of team work and family."� Do you regret coming close and not getting the job done?� "No, I don't regret getting close because it was a glimpse of what�my ball club can become.� If you truly think about it...if we had�atleast two more bonifide starters we�could have made a run for this thing instead it was basically starter by committee after Lou Lou pitched."� What ddi the signing of��Hector Cartagena do for your ball club.� "It made it stronger.� He's a great personality to have in the club house.� A bonifide class act that works hard both on and off the field.� He gave us what he could�but there's only so much one signing can do."� David Fana going to play second...what did that do for your team?� "The dude plays harder than I've known alot of people to play."� Jay Bonet?� "Toughest guy on the team hands down."� Why's that?� "He played a large portion of the year hurt and never complained.� I believe the injuries may have slowed him down abit which is kind of cool in a sense because then you wonder if that was how he played at 70% then imagine 100%."� Maximo Polonia, Wilfredo Otero, Robert Fernandez?� "All great personalities and athletes as well.� They're gamers.� They come...they play...they do the right things...what more can a coach want?"��
Mojica certain enjoys seeing his guys play but we have to address the offensive woes of 09'� Will they be fixed?� Your offense at times would come out and other times would be non-existent...what are you going to�do about correcting this?��"The only thing you can do is�place your team in proper position to win and hope for the best.� The effort was, for the most part, there and other times it wasn't but that will�all change this coming year because we know what we need to�address."
The Tiburones have thus far addressed their pitching and offensive woes by adding some very key players to their roster.� We asked Mojica to speak about his recent signings and he had this to say.� "The offense is something we needed to address highly in the off season and I�strongly believe we have begun�to make the turn.��We also have addressed our pitching woes by�signing a pitcher who we know as being a strong starter.� The dude is a class act and fits perfectly on our ball club.��
When asked specifically who the Tiburones have signed and if they see themselves as 2010's team to beat Mojica says, "You know talk is cheap.� You have to do it on the field.� I will only say this.� It is not important who these guys are or what we believe they are capable of...hyping my entire team�up makes no sense what so ever�when we�haven't played one game together as one unit.� Lets�get on the field�first and then we'll be able to tell where we are at.� Hype is just hype...we need to be able to do it on then field.� This year we lost 6 of our final�10 games...not good for a team that was so close to making some noise, but atleast we know where we needed to make adjustments in order to be more prepared next time.� Growing pains of a Manager and of a entire Team."
The Tiburones are definately off to a good off season.� No�hype talk...just straight talk about the team/family.�
�David Fana when asked about the 2010 team says, "To tell you the truth its looking very good man.� Very energetic�ball club.��Everyone has a winning attitude."
The Tiburones are definately on the right track and off to doing better things only time will tell.
2009 Team� Pictures
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