Monday, October 29, 2007 News & Observer Red Sox purchase contract of former SJHS star Dennis Blackmon (And Local Cleveland School native!) There's now a Johnston County connection to the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Dennis Blackmon, a Smithfield resident who played at South Johnston High School, had his minor league contract purchased by the Red Sox on Friday. Blackmon has spent the past two seasons catching for the Joliet (Ill.) Jackhammers of the independent Northern League. He was named an All-Star for the league in 2007 after hitting .289 with nine home runs, 40 RBIs, 10 doubles and just two errors. Blackmon, who was South Johnston High's all-time leader in home runs and RBIs when he prep career ended and was a winner of the Sam Narron Baseball Award, will join the Red Sox in Spring training next February/March and be assigned to one of the Sox minor league teams. We'll have more on this story for Tuesday's print edition of The Herald. WOOO HOOO!!! Go Dennis!!! We're all rooting for you!!!
I named my youngest son after his father and he. (Theron..which is Dennis Jr. and Dennis' father's FIRST name.) My husband worked with his father for 10+ years and their family is very much ours. Dennis is a VERY talented young man. I was happy to see that we have not lost sight in our own stars. Good luck Dennis Jr.! We love you and hope that you will be the next catcher for the Sox. We're so very proud of you! ~The Carpenter Family
