Half of ’09 All-Stars Return, Some in New Uniforms; As Incentive, Former Players Setting a Hot Pace
April 20, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
Fans anxiously awaiting Thursday night’s season openers in the Atlantic League can look forward to the return of half of last season’s 14-man All-Star team although seven of the eight managers may not be quite so happy that three of them will be wearing the uniform of the back-to-back championship Somerset Patriots. In addition to […]
Gibbons On Exceptional Hitting Streak, Tom Cochran Very Stingy On Mound
April 19, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
It is difficult to imagine anyone wielding a hotter bat than veteran Jay Gibbons, who is going to make it increasingly difficult for the Los Angeles Dodgers to keep him out of the major leagues if he maintains anything close to his current pace. After starting the season 1-for-9 in three road games for Triple-A […]
Bluefish Lose All-Star Jesse Hoorelbeke, But Replacement Josh Phelps Has Better Power Numbers
April 16, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
It could not have been two weeks ago when we heard all-star first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke and Bridgeport were in negotiation for the 32-year-old slugger to return for a fourth season with the Bluefish. But news came down Thursday that both Jesse and younger brother Casey have signed to play with Fargo, ND of the […]
Two Atlantic Leaguers May Be Vying for Same Job In Los Angeles Angels’ Outfield
March 18, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
If we allow ourselves to dream once in a while why not conjure up a scenario where two former Independent Baseball players are competing for the same job in the major leagues. I cannot say that is the case because it is not possible to get all the way into Mike Scioscia’s head. But this […]
Two-Thirds of Players Who Start in Independent Play And Reach the Majors Are Pitchers
Among all players who would like to be the next success story by playing their first professional game in an Independent league and later making it to the major leagues, pitchers Aaron Crow, Pete Parise and Tanner Scheppers have to be the three leading candidates. It is pretty basic reasoning since they are in big-league […]
Gagne Headed Back To Dodgers; Raul Valdes and Roger LaFrancois Also In the News
February 19, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
Can you go back home? This is not a reference to Tiger Woods, but rather to onetime unbeatable Los Angeles Dodgers relief ace Eric Gagne. Gagne’s problem seems much simpler of the two. His is more a question of how much speed and movement remain on his bread and butter pitches. The Dodgers and Gagne […]
10 Championship Rings Should Help Jon Weber Get Over His Jitters in the World Champs’ Spring Camp
February 19, 2010 by Bob Wirz · Leave a Comment
For a player who earned 10 championship rings during the decade just ended and has a world of confidence in his ability it would not seem that reporting to spring training would be any big deal. On the other hand, Jon Weber is not reporting to any ordinary training facility. He will be at Camp […]