Month: May 2005

Danville Dans

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My buddy Brando got season tickets to Danville Dans games. The cool part is that he got extra tickets so I can come along and maybe bring one of the kids.

The Danville Dans is a team in the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL) and based out of Danville, Illinois, a town about 45 minutes away.

The season starts June 14th and I’m excited.

A couple of University of Illinois players are playing for one of Danville’s opponents, the East Peoria Scrappers. I’m looking forward to seeing them play.

Thanks to Brando for setting me up with these. I’m looking forward to seeing some good baseball this summer.

5/30 Linescore of the Day

Aaron Harang, Cincinnati Reds 7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 0 HR Double-digit Ks for Harang in 7 innings. Of course, the real story here is Harang’s opponent Clemens who once again pitched well enough for the win (2 ER in 8 IP) but didn’t get the run support … Continue reading “5/30 Linescore of the Day”

Aaron Harang, Cincinnati Reds
7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 0 HR

Double-digit Ks for Harang in 7 innings.

Of course, the real story here is Harang’s opponent Clemens who once again pitched well enough for the win (2 ER in 8 IP) but didn’t get the run support he needed. For the year, Clemens is pitching like Mathewson (1.30 ERA) but only has a 3-3 record to show for it.

Crede- Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde

I picked up Joe Crede in the off-season in the Illowa APBA League. He was sort of a throw-in as part of larger deal so I didn’t think much of it. I even shopped him around for a reliever but to mild surprise no one was interested especially considering the number of White Sox fans … Continue reading “Crede- Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde”

I picked up Joe Crede in the off-season in the Illowa APBA League. He was sort of a throw-in as part of larger deal so I didn’t think much of it. I even shopped him around for a reliever but to mild surprise no one was interested especially considering the number of White Sox fans in the league.

Then Crede started out hitting like gang-busters for the Sox. By April 25, he was hitting .324 and slugging .500. I started to wonder if I stumbled on to something.

But since then, Crede has gone downhill. Since that date, he’s gone 15 for 93 (.161) with a .248 OBP and a pathetic .247 slg pct. He’s hit 2 homers in this period.

As good as he is in the field, Crede is not known for being consistent at the plate. Last year, he hit .184 in May, .329 in June, and .198 and July.

Rumors earlier this year, were he didn’t plan on changing too much regarding his approach at the plate this year in favor of sticking with one batting stance.

He offered this cryptic outlook on his hitting:

“I believe I am a .280, .290 hitter, but I will believe it when I actually do it.”

Champaign, IL Homeboy Affected by Hawkins Deal

The LaTroy Hawkins deal may help the Cubs. It may even help the Giants. But the one person who may not like this deal is Champaign, Illinois native and reliever Matt Herges. Herges was designated for assignment by the Giants to make room for Hawkins. Herges was 1-1 with a 4.71 in 21 appearances. Herges, … Continue reading “Champaign, IL Homeboy Affected by Hawkins Deal”

The LaTroy Hawkins deal may help the Cubs. It may even help the Giants. But the one person who may not like this deal is Champaign, Illinois native and reliever Matt Herges.

Herges was designated for assignment by the Giants to make room for Hawkins. Herges was 1-1 with a 4.71 in 21 appearances.

Herges, who had a 2.62 ERA in 2003, has not pitched effectively since then with a 5.24 ERA in 2004.

Apparently, Herges has been a good influence in the clubhouse. At least according to sophomore starter Noah Lowry:

“Hergie’s been an outstanding teammate and good friend. It’s disappointing to see him go. It’s an unfortunate situation he ended up being the odd man out. It’s upsetting, but at the same time, it’s a business.”

5/28 Linescore of the Day

Boston Red Sox 27 for 52, 2B, 3 HR, 17 runs, 2 BB, 5 K, 13 LOB Couldn’t settle on just one player in Boston’s 17-1 defeat of the Yankees. Renteria and Nixon had 5 rbis each and Damon and Ramirez each had 4 hits.

Boston Red Sox
27 for 52, 2B, 3 HR, 17 runs, 2 BB, 5 K, 13 LOB

Couldn’t settle on just one player in Boston’s 17-1 defeat of the Yankees. Renteria and Nixon had 5 rbis each and Damon and Ramirez each had 4 hits.

Ohio State Takes Big 10 Tournament

On Sunday, Ohio State defeated Minnesota 14-6 to win the Big Ten Tournament. Tournaments are indeed a different breed. Of the six Big 10 teams represented, #5 Ohio State and #6 Minnesota were the two lowest seeded teams in the tourney. Also, Illini Shawn Roof was selected to the All-Big Ten Tournament Team. Roof was … Continue reading “Ohio State Takes Big 10 Tournament”

On Sunday, Ohio State defeated Minnesota 14-6 to win the Big Ten Tournament.

Tournaments are indeed a different breed. Of the six Big 10 teams represented, #5 Ohio State and #6 Minnesota were the two lowest seeded teams in the tourney.

Also, Illini Shawn Roof was selected to the All-Big Ten Tournament Team. Roof was 6 for 7, driving in 2 runs and scoring once.

Way to go, Shawn!

Cubs Trade Problem Child

Ok, maybe that’s not fair. But let’s face it, LaTroy was not working for the Cubs and probably never would. I for one, think Jerome Williams has some talent. He is getting off to a slow start (spending most of it in the minors) having to tend to his ill father earlier in the year. … Continue reading “Cubs Trade Problem Child”

Ok, maybe that’s not fair. But let’s face it, LaTroy was not working for the Cubs and probably never would.

I for one, think Jerome Williams has some talent. He is getting off to a slow start (spending most of it in the minors) having to tend to his ill father earlier in the year. Still, he’s 23 and very promising.

I know very little about David Aardsma other than what we are reading in the press now. He was a high draft pick in 2003. The Cubs say they’ll take a wait-and-see approach as to whether he’ll start or pitch out of the pen.

At this point, this looks like a very solid deal for the Cubs especially considering their injury situation. Williams could be the real deal. Aardsma could be the icing on the cake.

But unless Aardsma proves to be strong out of pen, they still haven’t taken care of business.

Followup: Here’s an article headlined “Teammates Will Miss Hawkins”. Yes, and so will Cubs’ opponents.

Ok, I’ll stop being so smart. Seriously, Cubs management did LaTroy a favor by trading him. He can get a fresh start in San Fran. He had too much baggage and there was too much discontent among the fans to be effective in Chicago.

Aardsma Trivia: Just read over at Cub Town (along with their analysis of the Cub trade) that Aardsma displaces Hank Aaron at the top of alphabetical list of career players.

5/27 Linescore of the Day

Todd Wellemeyer, Chicago Cubs 3 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR 1 for 2, 1 run Wellemeyer came in for the injured Prior. Not only did he pitch flawlessly for 3 2/3 innings and get the win but he also got a two-out hit in the 4th … Continue reading “5/27 Linescore of the Day”

Todd Wellemeyer, Chicago Cubs
3 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
1 for 2, 1 run

Wellemeyer came in for the injured Prior. Not only did he pitch flawlessly for 3 2/3 innings and get the win but he also got a two-out hit in the 4th which started a rally which scored 4 runs.