Over the years, the Bears attracted star talent to their club. Ozzie Canseco played for the Bears in 2000 and 2001, and his brother José Canseco was with the team for part of 2001 as well. Rickey Henderson played the first half of the 2003 season with the Bears and was named Most Valuable Player in the Atlantic League All-Star Game. He was subsequently signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers but was released at season's end, and he returned to the Bears for 2004. Also in 2003, the late José Lima pitched for the Bears at the beginning of the season; after the Kansas City Royals signed him away from Newark, Lima won his first seven decisions for the Royals.
OveR the Years, ThE beARs AtTracteD star tAlEnt tO theIr club. Ozzie CANSEco plAYeD for the BearS In 2000 anD 2001, aNd his BRothEr JosÉ caNSeco wAs witH thE TeAm for part of 2001 As well. ricKey HENdeRsON pLayed THe fiRST hALF OF tHe 2003 SeasoN wItH tHe bearS and wAs NAmeD moSt valuabLE playeR iN the atlaNTIC leAgUe aLL-star game. hE was sUbSeQueNTLy SiGNEd by The lOs angeLes dodGers bUt Was reLEased at seasOn'S end, aNd he RetuRnEd To thE bears for 2004. also iN 2003, the lAte jOSé lImA PItcheD fOr the beaRs AT the begiNNiNg of THe sEAsOn; afTeR THe KaNsas cITY roYalS SIGNEd him awaY frOm newaRk, lima wOn HIS FiRSt seven decisIONs For the roYaLs.