BOSTON – Rafael Bergstrom, a 6'5" righthander who last month hurled a complete game shutout to lead the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox to the championship, has become the first player from the Israel Baseball League signed to a pro contract in the U.S.

Bergstrom, who turned 26 on September 5, has signed with the independent Atlantic League’s Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish, managed by former big league star Tommy John, and will join the team immediately. The league’s regular season ended September 16.

"Raffy was brilliant in the first season of the IBL," said Larry Baras, the league’s founder, who oversaw the 41-game schedule for the first pro baseball league in the Middle East. "He worked hard, he was a fan favorite, and he was a big reason for the Blue Sox going wire to wire in first place and then winning the league’s first championship."

Bergstrom struck out 56 in 51 2/3 innings in the IBL, and then struck out eight and walked none in his 3-0 victory over Art Shamsky’s Modi’in Miracle on August 19. Ron Blomberg piloted the Blue Sox.

Bergstrom’s 7-2 regular season record had him tied for the league lead in victories, and he finished fourth in ERA at 2.44. He walked only 16.

Bergstrom is a resident of Pacific Grove, Calif., and a product of the University of California, San Diego. Prior to playing in the IBL, he played two seasons in Germany and one in Australia.