Veteran outfielder Fehlandt Lentini rejoining Goldeyes

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Goldeyes outfielder Fehlandt Lentini had 57 stolen bases in 2006. (PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS ARCHIVES)

A familiar face will be returning to the field at Shaw Park when the Winnipeg Goldeyes season opens later this year – and adding to his club records along the way.

Today Goldeyes manager Rick Forney announced the club had signed veteran outfielder Fehlandt Lentini for the 2013 season. The 35-year-old centre fielder played for the Goldeyes between 2006 and 2008, and then again during the 2011 season.

In that handful of seasons, Lentini blazed his way into the Goldeyes history books, becoming the team’s all-time leader in doubles (103) and second in triples (28) and stolen bases, where he snagged 109. He also earned a nod to the 2006 All-Star Game after a solid season that included 93 runs, 137 hits, 13 triples and 57 stolen bases.

Lentini, a former Houston Astros prospect who is originally from Santa Rosa, California, played his 12th professional season last year for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League. He finished fifth in that league with a .319 batting average and 92 RBI.

In a release, Forney said that Lentini "always loved playing in Winnipeg," and that the exit of Chris Roberson – who headed to play in Mexico – opened a spot to bring the veteran back.

"It’s very important for me that I can find an athletic, impact and highly skilled centre fielder and they are not exactly easy to find," Forney said in a statement. "Shaw Park and the three other parks that are in our division happen to be very difficult places to play for a centre fielder. If there’s an opportunity to grab somebody that has the experience playing in these parks, you need to take it."

So far, the Goldeyes have signed 13 players for the 2013 season, including eight pitchers and five position players.