FORMER JACKAL, WORLD CHAMPION SIGNS WITH DODGERS

Little Falls, NJ – The New Jersey Jackals have announced that former outfielder Timo Perez has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He will report to spring training on February 25th.

Perez joined the Jackals on August 13th for the Jackals stretch run and playoff series against the Worcester Tornadoes. In 23 games, Timo had a .338 batting average with five doubles, one triple and 17 RBI. Timo’s success continued into the playoff series against the Worcester Tornadoes where he hit for a .333 batting average in the three game series.

Prior to joining the Jackals, Timo played for the Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz of the Triple-A Mexican League, where he batted .323 with eight home runs and 37 RBI in 77 games. Perez also went 11-for-13 in stolen base attempts, showing flashes of the speed that contributed to his eight seasons in the majors.

Perhaps best remembered as the catalyst atop the Mets lineup during their run in the 2000 playoffs that resulted in a trip to the World Series, Perez has also spent time with the Chicago White Sox -- where he captured a World Series championship in 2005 -- as well as the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. The southpaw last appeared in the big leagues in 2007, when he hit an impressive .389 while logging 90 at-bats for the Tigers.

Since then, Perez had been a member of the Triple-A Toldeo MudHens -- where he batted .306 with 69 doubles and 132 RBI over two seasons that included an All-Star Game MVP award in 2007 -- before joining Veracruz in the Mexican League for the 2009 season.

With the signing of Perez, the Jackals have now had 17 players sign with a major league organization since the beginning of the 2006 season. Guillermo Reyes (Arizona) and John Lindsey (Los Angeles) are playing at the Triple-A level. Jemel Spearman (Washington) and Chris Garcia (Pittsburgh Pirates) are playing at the Double-A level. Jason Wylie (Philadelphia), Raul Valdes (New York Mets), Alex Fernandez (Pittsburgh), Jaime Cerda (Seattle), Brad Voyles (Florida), Tom Atlee (Milwaukee), Rusty Tucker (Milwaukee), Sandy Madera (Boston), Michael Vicaro (Arizona), Randy Rapp (Oakland), Hunter Davis (Tampa Bay) and Isaac Pavlik (Chicago Cubs) have returned to the Independent Leagues after playing at various levels in affiliated leagues.

The Jackals wish Timo Perez the best of luck for the 2010 season.