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The St. Catharines Metros, to a man, are
thrilled to have Brian Essery back with the team in 2009. Last season, after pitching for 11 years with the team, Brian
got the opportunity to go to England, and play for the elite team in the British Baseball Federation, the London Mets...where
he compiled a 9-0 record and a 1.58 ERA. He also added a win in the National Championship Final...his first National
title. In addition to his term with the Mets, Brian (a strong believer in "teaching the game") worked with the British
junior baseball program, and coached the junior squad. Luckily for the Metros, Brian's British contract was only
6 months in duration...so he returns in 2009 to be one of the anchors of a very good Metros' pitching staff. Brian Essery
has quite simply, been one of the best pitchers in this or any other league in Ontario, during his illustrious career.
His Metros career numbers are outstanding...from his 59-21 win/loss record, to his 14 complete game shutouts, to his
2.46 career E.R.A. Brian also holds the Metros career mark (tied with another current Metros ace, Jason Ermers) for
lowest WHIP (1.13). In 2001, Mr. Essery posted a 13-1 record, with an unbelievable 0.53 ERA - beginning a run
of 3 years where he was nearly unhittable. After arm woes slowed him down in 2004, Brian came back strong.
In 2005, he was 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA, and in '06 he went 6-2 with a 2.55. Brian then proved he was all the way back
in 2007, when he went 6-2 again, but this time with a microscopic 1.40 ERA. Those incredible numbers garnered "Ess"
his 2nd C.O.B.A. Top Pitcher award, at the year-end banquet. But perhaps Brian's biggest accomplishment in baseball,
was his being named to the British National Baseball team, for the European Championships in the fall of '07. He
even became the team's ace...pitching the opening game of the tourney as well as the final. The team won the silver
medal, and Brian finished at 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA...this against some of the best professional ballplayers from around
the world. After winning his first National title in Britain last season, Brian Essery says, "I want it even more now,
with the Metros". Knowing Brian, he'll definitely do his part.
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