NEW: Tornadoes Introduce Newly Signed Canseco

Monday, May 07, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Canseco with Tornadoes owner Todd Breighner.

The Worcester Tornadoes held a press conference this morning to unveil the newly signed Jose Canseco.

The team signed the controversial slugger to a one-year contract two weeks ago, and Canseco’s first trip to Worcester was filled with smiles and jokes.

“My twitter is purely entertainment,” Canseco said with a laugh, referring to recent attention given to tweets from his handle @josecanseco.

Canseco carried the same fun, and somewhat self-mocking, attitude throughout the press conference at Worcester’s Ritual on Main Street. When asked if he had any aspirations of returning to Major League Baseball, Canseco admitted it was a long shot.

“Well, I think I have a better chance of winning the lottery than making it back to the big leagues. I played the lottery the other day and didn’t win it,” Canseco said with a smile. “I know it won’t happen. I’ve got maybe a one out of a trillion chance.”

The 47-year old Canseco is sure to bring some attention to the Tornadoes, but the former American League MVP insists this is not a publicity stunt. He believes that, barring injury, he can inject some power into the middle of the Tornado order and help some younger players learn the finer points of power hitting.

Canseco fielding questions.

When asked why he was still playing at his age, while admitting a big league return was almost out of the question, Canseco simply said that he is a “baseball lifer.”

“People have addiction’s and vices, and I think my addiction is baseball,” Canseco said. “It makes me feel young, it’s what I love doing and it’s where I belong. I think on my tombstone, I don’t even want them to put my name. Just ‘baseball player.’”

As for the upcoming season, Canseco is upbeat about the Tornadoes, and feels at home in Worcester.

“I feel great, and I’m very excited to be here,” Canseco said. “It’s a great place, and right next to Boston. We have an excellent team and an excellent facility, and I think that people shouldn’t take independent baseball for granted, because there are a lot of talented players.”

Canseco will take the field in a Tornado uniform for the first time May 17th in New Jersey against the Newark Bears. His first appearance in Worcester will be in the Tornadoes’ home opener against the Quebec Capitales on May 21st.