The Canberra Cavalry almost signed him last year, so when they needed to bolster their Australian playing stocks they didn't hesitate in putting the Moanaroas back together
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Brothers Boss and Moko Moanaroa started their professional baseball careers in the Boston Red Sox system and were then foundation players for the Sydney Blue Sox in the return of the Australian Baseball League seven years ago.
So it's fitting they'd run out for the Cavalry together for the first time in a 2-0 victory over the Blue Sox at Blacktown on Saturday.
Moko spent four years playing in the minor leagues for the Red Sox and has also represented New Zealand with his brother.
Canberra chief executive Donn McMichael said they almost brought Moko out of ABL retirement last season, but it fell through before the 28-year-old ended his six-year hiatus against his old club.
Boss was in his third season of being a Cavalryman.
McMichael said Moko would continue to be in the selection mix for the Cavalry's play-off campaign.
"[Moko]'s been an affiliated player, he's obviously got talent, he was in the system for [four] years and played in the [World Baseball] Classic for New Zealand so he's obviously got some talent," McMichael said.
"We contacted Boss to see what his thoughts were and to get a number, and he said,' Yeah he would certainly be interested'. It all happened very quickly."
Moko got a hit, scored a run and had two walks in his return to his old home ballpark, in the first game of a double-header in Sydney.
He wasn't the only drought-breaker on the Cavalry roster for the four-game series against Sydney.
Lee Mills slotted in at first base for his first game in five years, having played for Canberra in their first two seasons in the ABL.
The 28-year-old had two hits from his five at bats in the Cavalry's 7-1 victory in the series opener on Friday night, which sealed their finals spot in the top-four.
The Cavalry will wrap up their series against the Blue Sox on Sunday at 4pm, as they try to keep in touch with second-placed Perth and their chance of a home final in the process.
AT A GLANCE
Canberra 010 001 0 - 2R 6H 0E
Sydney 000 000 0 - 0R 1H 0E
Cavalry best: Frank Gailey (6IP, 1H, 0R, 2W, 7K), Travis Witherspoon (2-4, 1RBI), Cam Warner (1-3, 1RBI).
