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Gary, Ind.-Gary SouthShore RailCats all-time victories leader Willie Glen signed with the Florida Marlins today as a free agent. Glen, who led the RailCats to the 2007 Northern League title, earning N.L. "Pitcher of the Year" and Championship Series "Most Outstanding Player" honors, went 32-9 over three seasons with the RailCats and 8-0 in the post-season. In 2007, he posted a combined record of 16-1 in the regular season and post-season while establishing an all-time independent Northern League record for strikeouts in a season. Glen was also the ace of the RailCats pitching staff for the club's 2005 league title and 2006 trip to the championship series.

"He is the most deserving player of an opportunity like this of any player I have ever known in my 12 years as a manager," said RailCats manager Greg Tagert. "I could not be happier and more proud."

Glen credited his three years with the RailCats for making him a better pitcher and preparing him for an opportunity to win a job with the Marlins. "I was given a consistent opportunity to perform there, and that made me a more consistent pitcher," said the 29-year-old native of Plainfield, Indiana. "I learned how to pitch out of tough situations, knowing I was going to be given the chance...just being out on the field, and when I got into a tough position, it was a case of saying 'now I have to figure out a way to get out of this.' It made me better."

After going 12-1 during the 2007 regular season, Glen went 4-0 with a 0.82 earned run average in four post-season starts. He fired a three-hit complete game performance in the fifth and deciding game of the Championship Series, a 5-1 RailCats win over Calgary.

Glen was dominant over the final six weeks of the season. Over his final 13 starts including the playoffs, he went 9-0 with a 1.01 ERA. Glen struck out at least 10 batters in eight starts in 2007 and struck out at least nine in 13 starts. Perhaps his most impressive statistic was his post-season record over the 2006-'07 seasons. In six starts, he went 6-0 with a 0.54 ERA, allowing just three earned runs in 50 innings.

Tagert had received many calls about Glen, and his opinion never changed. "I told every club that ever called that this is a special person capable of special things."

Glen, a 2007 Baseball America first team All-Independent Leagues selection, will remember his time with the RailCats fondly.

"It is hard to beat two championships. I can't say any more than that."

He also gives credit to Tagert, who signed Glen in June of 2005 based on recommendations dating back to Glen's college career at the University of Evansville.

"If he doesn't make that phone call, it is hard to say how the last three years would have turned out," said Glen. "I appreciate his ability to put winning teams on the field, but also to bring in the kind of people that became good friends of mine because they were good people. That's a big thing."

Glen was chosen as the RailCats "Most Inspirational Player" in a vote by his teammates and coaches at the end of the 2007 season, a testament to Glen's tireless work ethic and positive attitude. The rumored signing of Glen prompted a Northwest Indiana newspaper reporter to wonder who would win the "Tagert Mile" in 2008. The event, annually held on the first day of spring training, is a measurement of the physical conditioning of players as they report to camp. While Tagert's RailCats have become known for their commitment to conditioning, Glen has won the race each of the last two springs.

The RailCats organization is unanimous in offering congratulations to Willie Glen while extending thanks to Willie for his huge impact on the franchise's success over the last three seasons.

More Info: The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a Professional Minor League Baseball Team serving Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. For the last four years, they have been chosen "Best Local Spectator Sport" by Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly. Their 96 game schedule includes 48 home games at beautiful U. S. Steel Yard, an award-winning 6,000 seat state-of-the-art facility located next to the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) with easy access to I-65.