NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport

Baseball: MLB All-Stars John Buck and Zach Duke to join Auckland Tuatara

Christopher Reive
By Christopher Reive
Senior Sports Journalist·NZ Herald·
31 Aug, 2019 03:45 AM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

MLB All-Stars John Buck and Zach Duke will join the Auckland Tuatara this season. Photos / Getty Images

MLB All-Stars John Buck and Zach Duke will join the Auckland Tuatara this season. Photos / Getty Images

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The Auckland Tuatara have ramped up their recruitment drive for their upcoming campaign, enlisting the services of two Major League Baseball All-Stars.

The Herald understands 2010 All-Star catcher John Buck and 2009 all-star pitcher Zach Duke have signed on with the Tuatara for their sophomore Australian Baseball League season.

However, the Tuatara were not in a position to comment on their status or that of any other potential signings.

"We have been talking to a number of individuals and franchises about players coming to New Zealand and we are close to confirming some more players for the 2019-20 Australian Baseball League season," Tuatara general manager Regan Wood said.

"We hope to make some more announcements in the coming days."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Buck spent 11 years at the Major League level between seven teams, last appearing for the Los Angeles Angels in 2014 and is one of a number of former MLB stars who have been in contact with the Tuatara about joining the team this year.

Former MLB star John Buck will join the Auckland Tuatara for the ABL season. Photo / Getty Images
Former MLB star John Buck will join the Auckland Tuatara for the ABL season. Photo / Getty Images

The 39-year-old made his MLB debut in 2004 with the Kansas City Royals, where he spent his first six seasons, before spending time with the Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and LA Angels.

With more than 1000 MLB appearances, Buck brings a wealth of experience to the side. He's expected to spend much his time playing as the team's designated hitter, having flashed plenty of power and ability with the bat in the majors, while mentoring the team's other catchers.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Duke appeared in the MLB as recently as late June this year and has played in the league for 15 years spread across nine teams.

The 36-year-old left-hander was a starting pitcher for his first five seasons in the league with the Pirates, before moving into a relief role with the Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, St Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins.

After making 30 appearances for the Cincinnati Reds this season out of the bullpen, Duke was expected to return to a starting role with the Tuatara.

While the pair were the headline signings for the team, the Tuatara will be welcoming young prospects from a number of MLB franchises as they did in their inaugural season.

Discover more

Sport

The strikeout kid: Kiwi making moves on long road to MLB

14 Jun 11:00 PM
Sport

Auckland Tuatara: 'We only scratched the surface'

25 Jul 10:28 PM
Sport

The Strikeout Kid returns to Auckland Tuatara

20 Aug 05:00 PM
Sport

Getting the band back together: Tuatara re-sign another key arm

22 Aug 08:12 PM

The Texas Rangers were expected to send at least three high-level prospects from their minor league system; however they won't be the only team to send the prospects Down Under for some off-season work.

Brandon Marklund will return to the Auckland Tuatara this season. Photo / Photosport
Brandon Marklund will return to the Auckland Tuatara this season. Photo / Photosport

Buck and Duke are the most recent imports to join the team, alongside Canadian relief pitcher and Royals prospect Brandon Marklund, while local players Max Brown (outfield), Luke Hansen (infield), Kyle Glogoski (pitcher) and Jimmy Boyce (pitcher) have also been confirmed on the roster.

The Tuatara's season gets underway in late November when they host the Perth Heat at Albany's QBE Stadium. It will be the first of five series the Tuatara play at the venue, with the Canberra Cavalry, Sydney Blue Sox, Geelong-Korea and Brisbane Bandits also visiting throughout the season.

Auckland Tuatara 2019/20 ABL fixtures

November 21-24 v Perth Heat
November 28 - December 1 at Melbourne Aces
December 5-8 v Canberra Cavalry
December 12-15 at Brisbane Bandits
December 19-22 v Sydney Blue Sox
December 26-30 at Adelaide Giants
January 2-5 v Geelong-Korea
January 9-12 at Sydney Blue Sox
January 16-19 at Canberra Cavalry
January 23-26 v Brisbane Heat

All home games will be played at QBE Stadium.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Sport

Black Caps

Devon Conway recalled for T20 tri-series after injury strikes Black Caps

13 Jul 09:18 AM
Sport

Black Sox looking for eighth win at Softball World Cup

13 Jul 08:11 AM
Warriors

The Warriors show out at home against the Tigers

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Sport

Devon Conway recalled for T20 tri-series after injury strikes Black Caps

Devon Conway recalled for T20 tri-series after injury strikes Black Caps

13 Jul 09:18 AM

The Black Caps' T20 tri-series against South Africa and Zimbabwe kicks off next week.

Black Sox looking for eighth win at Softball World Cup

Black Sox looking for eighth win at Softball World Cup

13 Jul 08:11 AM
The Warriors show out at home against the Tigers

The Warriors show out at home against the Tigers

Sam Ruthe breaks NZ records in LA

Sam Ruthe breaks NZ records in LA

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP