July 29, 1998

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Oakland Athletics have promoted former Villanova University baseball standout Mike Neill to the major leagues from the team's triple A affiliate in Edmonton. This will serve as Neill's first stint in the major leagues.

In his first game in Oakland on Monday, July 27, Neill started in left field, batted second and went 0-for-5. On Tuesday, July 28, Neill started in center field, hit second in the line-up and was 2-for-3 with two walks. As a member of the Edmonton Trappers of the Pacific Coast League, Neill was hitting .300 (110-for-367) with 71 runs scored, 18 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 48 RBI and six stolen bases at the time of his call up.

During his Villanova career, Neill helped lead Villanova to two Big East Tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances in 1989 and 1991. During his freshman campaign in 1989, Neill hit .371 with 20 doubles, eight home runs, 48 RBI and 56 runs scored as Villanova advanced to NCAA Regional final before losing to the University of Miami (Fla). As a junior in 1991, he finished second on the team in hitting with a gaudy .468 average. In addition to tallying 19 home runs, 76 RBI and 17 stolen bases, Neill set school records for runs in a season with 85 and doubles in a year with 22.

Neill still owns nine Villanova school records including hits in a career with 232, doubles in a career with 53 and total bases in a career with 379.