Last season I did a lot of work in Dunedin with the Dunedin Blue Jays staff. Craig Durham, a man who wears many hats as you will soon find out, was instrumental in coordinating interviews for me and helping me find my way around the ballpark when needed, to include the first time I ever covered a game from the press box. For whatever reason, however, I failed to ask Craig his story. This...
This is a post that appeared at Philly Sports Central earlier this week, and I thought it could be appropriate here too. Any team, Pat Burrell. Last Thursday, the Phillies announced that Pat Burrell will sign a ceremonial one-day contract so he can officially retire as a member of the team (Ruben Amaro initially offered a three day contract, but that was deemed unnecessary.) He’ll be honored the weekend of May 18-20 against the...
In an effort to milk this list as much as possible, I made a post that has all 100 prospects in just one list with their Opening Day assignments. At the bottom, I have a handful of stats that show the distribution of the top 100 by organization, position and classification. 1. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington- Syracuse (AAA, International) 2. Matt Moore, LHP, Tampa Bay- Tampa Bay (MLB, AL) 3. Mike Trout, OF, Anaheim-...
Before I left for Afghanistan in mid-March, I drove across Florida from my home in Tampa to my parents’ home in Melbourne. Along the way, on Florida State Road 520, just outside of Cocoa, Florida, I saw the remains of what was once the home of the Florida State League’s Cocoa Astros, the spring home of the Houston Astros, and for a season, the spring home of the then-Florida Marlins. Sadly, even at 55...
I kept seeing random mentions here and there about the whereabouts of the various players I profiled last season for MiLB.com, so I finally decided to put together a list of where each one was assigned to start the 2012 season and how they’re doing so far. Of the nine, seven advanced to Low-A, one to High-A, and one is expected to miss the season due to injury. Stetson Allie (West Virginia Power, Low-A,...
Welcome to Bus Leagues Express. Every morning, you’ll be able to stop here for a quick summary of the previous day’s minor league action, what’s to come, and interesting links the staff wants to share. While you’re eating cereal getting ready for the day, you can check out the notable stories from each league and some of the top performers at the plate and on the mound. Since this is the first day of...
By the time you read this I should be on my way to exotic Afghanistan. But I thought this was a great video and I thought it was definitely worth sharing here. Hopefully I’ll be able to post periodically during the season, but if not I think this video of wounded veterans working out with the Nationals at their spring complex in Viera, Florida (coincidentally, the town I grew up in) was a great...
As the Rays have grown in prominence in the AL East, their blogosphere has also vastly grown in size and expertise. Only a few years ago, there were but a hand full of Rays blogs. Now there are quite a few covering all aspects of the Rays organization, from the big league club to the low minors. One of these new Rays blogs is Rays Digest.com, edited by John Gregg. Since starting Rays Digest,...
Last year while writing for MiLB.com, I had a chance to talk with one of the Mets most highly regarded pitching prospects, right-hander Matt Harvey. At the time, Harvey was hurling for the St. Lucie Mets. Today, Harvey is pitching to possible make the Mets Triple-A club in Buffalo or he could start the season in Double-A Binghamton. MetsBlog writer Michael Barron caught up with Harvey a few days ago and talked to him...
Besides seeing the future of Major League Baseball, and besides the game’s casualness and coziness, one of best things about baseball in the Bus Leagues is promotions. Every year there are some great promotions throughout the Minors, from cannon-shot stuntmen to actors masquerading as former Mexican legends and of course dozens, if hundreds, of culinary exhibitions. Although I won’t be attending any minor league games this year, there are a several promotions I would...
2012 05 14 Scranton Wilks Barre/ Empire State Yankees vs Pawtucket Red Sox
