PRESS RELEASE – On Monday, The Worldwide Leader In Sports, ESPN, released a new groundbreaking digital documentary on the Biloxi Shuckers epic road trip and journey to MGM Park. The piece takes sports fans around the world “on the road” with the Shuckers, as the club claimed a first half championship in the Southern League and won its Inaugural Game at MGM Park on June 6. The feature can be found at the links below or by logging on to biloxishuckers.com or espn.com.
“It’s been an extraordinary, emotional season played out with so much human drama, excitement and heartbreak,” added Shuckers general manager Buck Rogers. “This is thrilling to have the spotlight on this community that has endured so much. This season has to end in a championship so Hollywood can write the screenplay.”
ESPN has instilled groundbreaking new features to bring the Shuckers Southern League season and road trip to life. The interactive story will be seen by millions this week.
Senior Writer for ESPN The Magazine, David Fleming chronicles the journey in written form, in which portions will appear in the next release of ESPN The Magazine, which hits newsstands on Friday. Fleming, also a columnist for ESPN.com has written more than 35 cover stories for Sports Illustrated and ESPN, and is the author of two books: “Noah’s Rainbow” (memoir) and “Breaker Boys” (NFL).
“This team is an inspiration: strangers from all over the world with little more than their love of baseball in common, who, together, turned what could have been a colossal disaster into a dream season and a dream assignment,” stated Fleming.
“I can’t think of a better town or organization to build what is a groundbreaking story-telling project around. Even after all the road kill, nasty clubhouses, exhausting rides and 4 a.m. check ins, I can’t believe I’m saying this but can we do it again next season, Buck?”
Will Cain wrote and narrated the video feature entitled “Home” and joined ESPN in March. This is the first piece by Cain, who will primarily work with ESPN’s Features Unit and E:60 and see his work appear across ESPN’s various platforms.
“When this project first started I think most of us thought: “Look here, a modern-day Bull Durham.” That it would provide an authentic, insider, fascinating look at how more than 25 guys live on the road for a little less than 60 days,” explained Cain.
“And it was. We saw a great group of guys – from the catchers to the managers to the clubbies and the radio announcer – who gave us amazing access and not only survived, but thrived on the road. But as the story went on, an all too obvious theme emerged. I saw the concentric rings of homelessness around this club. From an owner who lived out of his truck to bring the Shuckers to Biloxi to a community attempting to recover a sense of home a decade after Katrina. This team became the perfect symbol for the Gulf Coast. Where we started with a colorful group of guys, we ended with a special community.”
Photography of the journey features work from award winning photographers Bill Frakes and Joe Amon. Frakes won a Pulitzer Prize for his photos and coverage of Hurricane Andrew, while with the Miami Herald. Frakes has been on the masthead of Sports Illustrated since 1993.
The Features:
David Fleming’s longform story:
Interactive Video Package Written and Narrated by Will Cain:
http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/13352575/biloxi-shuckers-play-new-stadium-54-road-games
During the road trip, the following videos were featured on ESPN.com and on Sports Center.
The “Homeless Shuckers”
With their new stadium under construction, the Biloxi Shuckers didn’t have a place to call home. So they took to calling themselves the “Homeless Shuckers” while they embarked on what would become a 54-game road trip.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12879065
Historic road trip takes its toll
By the end of May, the effects of the Biloxi Shuckers’ historic 54-game road trip hadn’t shown up in the standings — the Brewers’ Double-A affiliate was in first place. But as Will Cain reports, the trip certainly impacted those surrounding the team.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12977433
Biloxi Shuckers reach the end of the road
After spending two months and 54 games on the road, the Biloxi Shuckers finally — FINALLY — have a home. Will Cain reports on the end of the Shuckers’ epic road trip.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=13037978
Shuckers playoff tickets will go on sale Thursday for the first two games of the Southern League South Division Series, Sept. 10-11 at MGM Park.
The club opens a five-game road series in Tennessee against the Jackson Generals on Tuesday. The Shuckers have 10 regular season games remaining on the schedule, featuring five-game series against the Mobile BayBears (ARI), Aug. 23-27 and Tennessee Smokies (CHC), Sept. 3-7. There will be post-game fireworks following the final Saturday and Sunday games of the regular season, Sept. 5-6. The 2015 regular season ends on Labor Day, Monday, September 7th, with a 1:10 matinee.
In addition to purchasing tickets at the MGM Park Box Office or CLICKING HERE, fans may also use the options listed below from Ticketmaster. In order to purchase tickets over the phone, please call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. The MGM Park Box Office does not process any phone sales. All phone sales must be made through Ticketmaster with the number provided. In order to purchase tickets online, please visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.BiloxiShuckers.com. Tickets may also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets. Please visit www.ticketmaster.com for additional locations in your area. ** There are no refunds or exchanges for individual game tickets**
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