NEW YORK (AP) - The 2004 season will mark the start of a new era in the history of the New York Nukes franchise. After years of threatening to move to New Jersey, the team finally moves into their brand spankin' new ballpark this season! Fission Field replaces Ground Zero, the Nukes home for the past seven seasons. The team has signed a 25 year lease to play at Fission Field, which should end any more talk to the team leaving the Big Apple.

In addition to the new ballpark, the Nukes have some significant changes in personel this season. The biggest change will come at the top. After leading the franchise through sixteen seasons, three cities, two leagues, and a Weaver League Championship, longtime Nukes Player and Manager Don Baylor is stepping down. Many speculated that dealing with the New York media was taking it's toll on Baylor after finishing behind the hated Los Angeles Riots for the second straight season. Baylor denied that. "I'm just gettin' old. The Nukes are great, and you can't beat getting paid to go to the ballpark every day, but I'm at the stage of my life where I want to sit on my ass all day if I want to." Baylor will still be involved with the organization as a part time scout and assistant to Owner and GM Jim Lockwood.

Replacing Baylor as skipper of the Nukes is Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson has no baseball experience whatsoever. He is best known for his roles in Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, and as Jedi Master Mace Windu in the Star Wars Prequels. Jackson had just finished filming Star Wars: Episode III in time to get to Florida for Spring Training. Asked what skills he brings to managing a baseball team, Jackson responded, "I'm a bad motherf*ck*r, motherf*ck*r! The first person who f*cks with me will have my foot so far up their goddam a** they'll be wishin' they'd have kept their mouth the f*ck shut! You think I can't manage this team? I'm a motherf*ck*n' Jedi, goddammit!"

In addition to a new manager, the Nukes will be getting an infusion of young talent this season as red hot prospects Tony Montana and Josh Homme join the team. Both players are expected to contend for the IL Rookie of the Year Award, unless Bombay pitcher Bob Davis manages to get his hands on it for a third time. Montana and Homme will flank Ty Cobb in the outfield this season, with Gary Sheffield moving to DH. Pete Rose had been on the trading block during the offseason, but will remain on the Nukes as a super-utilityman for the time being.