Montgomery leaves
UH for Indians
Tim Montgomery signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians yesterday and will report to Winter Haven, Fla., for instructional league Sept. 19.
The Indians selected Montgomery in the 23rd round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. The Hawaii Rainbow center fielder was the 678th overall pick.
"I'm excited for this chance. It's a new opportunity. It's every kid's dream to play pro baseball," said Montgomery.
"It's tough to forego my final year at UH, but you never know when you are going to get another chance."
The Indians wanted Montgomery to play summer ball in an amateur league, then sign a 2004 contract because their rookie league rosters were full.
He had to scramble to find an open roster spot, but ended up joining the Bend (Ore.) Elks in the Pacific International League. Montgomery played in 24 games and was the Elks' second-leading hitter with a .356 batting average. He had eight doubles, a triple and three home runs.
"I had a good time in Bend. Things worked out pretty well for me," said Montgomery.
Montgomery received a $35,000 bonus and the Indians will pay for two more years of college should he decide to finish his education.
The Indians also signed UH recruit Jeffrey Pry, a 17th-round selection in this year's draft, last week.
Pry had been rehabbing a sore right arm all summer and decided to sign a week before UH started classes. Pry went to Cleveland, signed the contract, then took the Indians' physical. An MRI exam indicated he needed Tommy John surgery, so the Indians voided his contract.
Pry will have the surgery and attend Mt. Hood Community College, but he no longer has the option of playing Division I baseball since he signed a pro contract.
"Jeff was always up front with us, kept us informed and did everything right," said Rainbow baseball coach Mike Trapasso.
Trapasso also reported that two other freshman recruits, right-hander Steven Wright, a 26th round pick by the San Diego Padres, and left-hander Matt Buck, a 30th-round selection by the Montreal Expos, have enrolled at UH.
