Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
I did a Q&A for Big Ten Hardball on the University of Illinois baseball team. Thanks to Brian from BTH for the opportunity to do this. I really appreciate his website. It’s a very comprehensive site and the only site of its caliber I know of that exclusively covers Big Ten baseball. I think BTH’s … Continue reading “I get interviewed by Big Ten Hardball”
I did a Q&A for Big Ten Hardball on the University of Illinois baseball team.
Thanks to Brian from BTH for the opportunity to do this. I really appreciate his website. It’s a very comprehensive site and the only site of its caliber I know of that exclusively covers Big Ten baseball.
I think BTH’s plan is to interview fans from other Big Ten teams so stay tuned if the Illini is not your gig.
University of Illinois reliever Jake Toohey makes Big Ten Hardball’s 10 Pitchers You Should Know list. Of Toohey, BTH says: Toohey is one of the conference’s best closers. He tied for sixth in the Big Ten in saves in ’06. The Illini righthander had a very strong summer in the Northwoods League and probably should … Continue reading “Illini Toohey makes Big Ten Hardball list”
University of Illinois reliever Jake Toohey makes Big Ten Hardball’s 10 Pitchers You Should Know list.
Of Toohey, BTH says:
Toohey is one of the conference’s best closers. He tied for sixth in the Big Ten in saves in ’06. The Illini righthander had a very strong summer in the Northwoods League and probably should have been added to the Stopper of the Year pre-season
watch list.
It’s no surprise that the list is otherwise dominated by Wolverines and Buckeyes.
The University of Illinois baseball team are two games into a three-game set with the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. Do you want the good news or bad news first? Last night, I logged into Gametracker just as the game was entering the ninth inning. The Illini were down 13-0. For those scoring at home, that … Continue reading “Illini Baseball: There’s a silver lining here somewhere”
The University of Illinois baseball team are two games into a three-game set with the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. Do you want the good news or bad news first?
Last night, I logged into Gametracker just as the game was entering the ninth inning. The Illini were down 13-0. For those scoring at home, that would be the bad news.
The good news: The Illini have outscored the Cajuns since that point.
Unfortunately, the final result is two losses. I have to hand it to the Illini for bucking up and scoring 5 runs in the ninth inning last night and at least making it look respectable. It was a loss but I bet deep down that 5 run rally gave the Illini players a bit of a boost.
Sure enough, today’s game was much closer. Actually, the Illini were ahead for much of the game but they just couldn’t hold on and lost 7-6.
With the blowout score on Friday night, Coach Hartleb saw fit to give some of his freshman some experience. Catcher Joe Mercurio responded with a double and a run. Craig Lutes got a hit and a rbi.
By the way, it seems Mike Rohde is now the firstbaseman taking over for graduating Dave Schultz. Brandon Wikoff got the nod at third (where Rohde played last year) for both games.
Update: The Illini lost the third game 10-7 to give the Ragin’ Cajuns the sweep for the weekend. The Cajuns scored five against Ben Reeser in the first and the Illini never recovered.
As we head into the college baseball season, Big Ten Hardball has been busy previewing the Big Ten teams. Today it was Illinois’ turn. As an Illini fan, I’m biased, of course. So it was nice to see these words in the review: Illinois is my dark horse choice in the Big Ten. Coach Hartleb … Continue reading “Big Ten Hardball previews the Illini”
As we head into the college baseball season, Big Ten Hardball has been busy previewing the Big Ten teams. Today it was Illinois’ turn.
As an Illini fan, I’m biased, of course. So it was nice to see these words in the review:
Illinois is my dark horse choice in the Big Ten. Coach Hartleb returns a balanced ball club — they can run, hit, catch and pitch. I would certainly expect Illinois to qualify for the conference tournament. It will be difficult to overtake both Michigan and Ohio State, but if a couple of players step-up, Illinois might be in the running for the top spot overall.
I think this is spot on. The Wolverines and Buckeyes will not be easy to overtake (even Coach Hartleb alluded to this in his interview on our podcast). But given the chance and the motivation, it’s very possible.
Here are Big Ten Hardball’s previews for all the Big Ten teams
Tomorrow night the University of Illinois baseball team begins their 2007 season! They face the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. It’s a three game set with righty Scott Shaw taking the mound for Game 1. The Cajuns are 5-0 so far this year so this will be no cakewalk but I know the Illini players are … Continue reading “Opening Day for Illini tomorrow!”
Tomorrow night the University of Illinois baseball team begins their 2007 season!
They face the Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. It’s a three game set with righty Scott Shaw taking the mound for Game 1. The Cajuns are 5-0 so far this year so this will be no cakewalk but I know the Illini players are rarin’ to go and really want to start this season off right with a series win.
Good luck, Illini!!
Chris Robinson in his Illini days
In other Illini news, I’ve been in email contact with former Illini catcher Chris Robinson. Last I heard from Robbie, he was packing to go to Spring Training.
Last year, he was drafted by the Tigers last year (83rd overall, highest ever by an Illini) then traded to the Cubs organization midseason. He finished up in single-A Daytona.
And now Robbie’s on his way to his first Spring Training. Good luck, Robbie! Hit em where they ain’t!
Correction: Commenter Roger correctly points out that Chris was drafted in 2005, not 2006.
You and I as baseball fans have patiently waited through winter where there has been relatively little actual baseball news. Sure, there was the winter meetings, the winter leagues and of course the hot stove leagues. But no real action on the ball field since the 2006 postseason. You and I and the media put … Continue reading “Looking past ARod and Jeter”
You and I as baseball fans have patiently waited through winter where there has been relatively little actual baseball news. Sure, there was the winter meetings, the winter leagues and of course the hot stove leagues. But no real action on the ball field since the 2006 postseason. You and I and the media put up with it.
But now, when spring training is about to start, when players are beginning to report, when there is actual news to report, what does the sports media decide to focus their attention on? They take a innocent comment taken from Alex Rodriguez about his relationship with a teammate, twist its meaning, and throw it back in his face.
I would like to say the sports media should take a good look at itself but let’s face it, they do it for a reason. For the same reason, we get to see 24/7 coverage of Anna Nicole Smith on regular news channels when we have major issues in this country. People buy it.
And people wonder why I don’t watch ESPN.
One Yankee person who IS spending a little time beyond the ARod/Jeter debacle is Cliff Corcoran from Bronx Banter. He sums up the players who are reporting for physicals for the Yankees’ spring camp. I couldn’t help noticing one name on that list. Chris Basak.
Infielder Chris Basak is a University of Illinois alum. He played for Itch Jones’ squad in 1999-2000. That was when I started watching the Illini and I vaguely remember Basak playing. He stroked .393 in 1999 and .329 in 2000.
Good luck, Chris. And stay away from the media if you can help it.
This time it’s the Infielders and Outfielders Preview. In 2006, the Illini lost a big chunk of their team to graduation. Well, guess what? The young, green team of 2006 have one more year of experience and are that much better for it Coach Hartleb says: “Shawn plays with such a high energy level,” Hartleb … Continue reading “Fighting Illini.com posts Part 2 of Pre-season review.”
This time it’s the Infielders and Outfielders Preview.
In 2006, the Illini lost a big chunk of their team to graduation. Well, guess what? The young, green team of 2006 have one more year of experience and are that much better for it
Coach Hartleb says:
“Shawn plays with such a high energy level,” Hartleb said. “It’s tough to find players who have the energy to go out and play at that level every single day. There is nothing there that is put-on, that’s just the way he is and the way he plays the game.”
Ok, that’s the understatement of the year. Roof plays like there’s a fire under his feet. Hmm.. some trivia I didn’t know… Roof stole 25 bases after not stealing any his first two years.
A big question for the Illini has been “Who’s going to play first base?”. Last year’s firstbaseman, Dave Schultz graduated and is now a volunteer assistant coach. It looks like clutch hitting Mike Rohde may play a role at first as well as two freshman, Matt Dittman and Mike Giller. Even hot-hitting Lars Davis may see some time there.
All this movement trying to fill Schulz’ spot at first, may free up some time for some others. Joe Bonadonna may move in to cover third base since he played a few games there last year. It’s all up in the air.
Only 3 days left till opening day.
Phil Haig: Who’s in charge now? Phil Haig had made up his mind. I think. The multi-skilled athlete has just signed a letter of intent for the University of Illinois last weekend. Not only does he play quarterback but he intends to try out for Hartleb’s baseball squad. QB Clint Brewster renounced his intent to … Continue reading “Haig intent on Illinois”
Phil Haig: Who’s in charge now?
Phil Haig had made up his mind.
I think.
The multi-skilled athlete has just signed a letter of intent for the University of Illinois last weekend. Not only does he play quarterback but he intends to try out for Hartleb’s baseball squad.
QB Clint Brewster renounced his intent to join the Illini and went with his father who joined the coaching staff of Minnesota. Haig, who is also a quarterback and saw competition on the Gophers, decided to go with the Illini. Did the Illini at least get a PTBNL?
Seriously, Haig seems like quite the athlete. I haven’t done enough research to know what position he’ll play for Hartleb’s squad but given his high school record, he should do well. At Henry Sibley HS, he was all-conference in four sports (football, baseball, wrestling and tennis).
University of Illinois begins their season one week from tonight. Anyone who has seen the weather in C-U lately knows it has to be a road game. Sure enough, the Illini will be playing at Louisiana-Lafayette. Here is their schedule for 2007. Fighting Illini.com has posted a helpful pitchers and catchers preseason review.
University of Illinois begins their season one week from tonight. Anyone who has seen the weather in C-U lately knows it has to be a road game. Sure enough, the Illini will be playing at Louisiana-Lafayette.
Here is their schedule for 2007.
Fighting Illini.com has posted a helpful pitchers and catchers preseason review.
Warren Silver has a blog that caters to fans of Illini AND Chicago sports fans out there. Chicago & Illini Sports is big on Cubs, Bulls, Bears and Illini coverage. Warren admits that he’s a bit light on Sox side but hey, no harm done there, eh? Kidding aside, it looks like a pretty cool … Continue reading “Chicago & Illini Sports blog”
Warren Silver has a blog that caters to fans of Illini AND Chicago sports fans out there. Chicago & Illini Sports is big on Cubs, Bulls, Bears and Illini coverage. Warren admits that he’s a bit light on Sox side but hey, no harm done there, eh?
Kidding aside, it looks like a pretty cool site and since we do get a fair amount of Illini/Chicago readers breezing through here, I thought I’d put Chicago & Illini Sports on our blogroll.
I just need to convince Warren to step up that Illini Baseball coverage. Two weeks from today, their season starts.