CB News, Montreal, July 20, 2000:
As the cool summer slowly inches towards the fall, the new 2000 season for the Montreal Senior A Volleyball league draws that much nearer. Jabog after finishing with a disappointing quarter final loss in the playoffs are now looking to signing their key players for the upcoming season. The main signing according to captain Rick Trindade is that of 3 year veteran middle blocker Steve Brown (aka Bones), "Signing Steve is what I deem to be the key for our success next year. As a versatile and steady player, he's got the ability by himself to lead us to the finals. Plus, he often brings great food for lunch."
Steve Brown finished the final year of his contract with a stellar season, posting an amazing 106% kill percentage and a whopping team leading 198 stuff blocks, even as a libero. Brown is looking for an estimated 1 year deal worth 7.5 million dollars, a raise from his 1999-2000 contract of $39.95 (tax included). That equals an increase of $7 499 960.05 a year. Brown is thought to be training very hard for the up-coming season, said an anonymous source: "I've seen him throw oranges and maybe even grapefruits in the past, but last week I saw him juggling a watermelon, a papaya, a squash and a head of lettuce. The guy is just $%^#@*& impressive!"
Steve's comment about his past season, "All in a days work. I do my best for the team, with us winning being the key, my success is secondary. If I post some good numbers well then great, but the main thing is to win. Oh, and to look good in front of the women." Asking Steve Brown if he has thought about looking elsewhere to sign for a contract, he responded with, "I love playing for Jabog. I started here and I would love to finish my career here. The fans are great and even with the added pressure placed on by the media, I still want to play here. But if they don't offer me what I believe to be fair, well, then they leave me no choice."
Rumour has it that Trindade and fellow teammate Carl Brown are taking Steve Brown away this weekend to a beautiful resort in the country to try and negotiate his contract. Carl Brown's view of the upcoming weekend negotiations, "We'll see what we can do. Maybe with the help of a little alcohol we can settle this whole deal. If not, well, at least we get drunk."
Jabog as always is a favorite to finish in the top of the standings
again, assuming they will be able to sign players such as Steve Brown and
others. Still on the unsigned list include Scott
Dziewirz, Steve Lloyd, Andrew
Wozny, Chris Bernier, Brian
Choi and Bill Mang. Negotiations
with them are scheduled to take place in the following weeks according
to a Jabog spokesperson. "We got a busy summer ahead, let's just
hope we can get off to a good start with Steve this weekend". Further
details on the negotiations are sure to follow.