Monthly Archives: April 2010

What a great evening for a ballgame! The Pigs had a big inning on prospect BJ Rosenburg and ended up giving the crowd at CCP something to cheer about. Overall the game was slow but the players were very accomodating of us fans.

Rich Thompson, Mike Spidale both acknowleged the Noise Nation and even John Mayberry gave us a shy wave. New Ironpig DeWayne Wise also took to us well and I think we will be having a lot of fun with him in centerfield this season. Early in the game Cody Ransom let a routine ground ball by him at 3rd and when one of the Noise Nation yelled out, “Hey Ransom, you have to get those! You’re not with the Yankees anymore!”, Wise let out a howl and laughed and waved up to us. Welcome aboard new friend!

Another highlight moment would be Brown’s sensational catch in centerfield. Having a very close vantage point, we saw Brown show us at Coca Cola park for the first time why he will be the Phillies future right fielder. Those Philly fans who don’t know him yet will soon find he is more than Jimmy Rollins, more than Chase Utley or Ryan Howard.. this guy has MVP and Hall of Fame career written all over himself. Let’s hope the game treats him well.

The food was great, most stands were open and credit card machines were working. I sampled an italian sausage, cheeseburger and some pierogies. Even got to see our old friends Scott and AnneMarie at the trough!

Adding a few more notes that I forgot. Scott Mathieson was on fire adding two K’s to the OINK sign in one inning of working allowing no hits. There is a new staircase being slowly put together in the outfield lawn, should make it easier for us older folks to get up and down out there. After speaking to the Pig’s GM, Kurt Landes, it appears the Noise Nation land will soon be changing. More details to come on that as it develops.

Good times! Good friends! Can’t wait for the season begins!

Today is the day that Coca Cola Park opens its winter weary arms and welcomes all her Pig fans back for a great big baseball hug! This hasn’t exactly been the day we’ve waited all winter for but it certainly cuts a solid week off of the Opening Home game scheduled for April 14th.

Looking at this realisitcally, this is a bonus game. A HUGE bonus game! You will see all the higher level prospects that the Phillies organization has in one night, IN ONE GAME!

So when you say bonus, you say preview.. don’t get your hopes too high. The team was notified of this game about the same time that the public was and that pushed their preparation schedule up a week. They have already announced that the club level will be closed and I wouldn’t expect all of the concessions, usual happenings to show up tonight. They might just dust off Hambone, Diggity and Cris P. Bacon for a race but keep in mind that tonight truly is a bonus. It is a thanks to the fans of the Lehigh Valley who have supported this team and organization for the past 2 years.

This game’s for you Lehigh Valley! Enjoy!

.. it’s the Phillies calling to tell you we aren’t sitting back and hoping for the best!”

I watched the Phillies play the Nationals this afternoon and although the Phillies clearly outmatched the Nats, the team played hard the whole game, they hustled and they made it clear they aren’t trying to ride the tide of the past two years. This team looks hungry.

One fun fact you might note about tomorrow night’s exhibition game between the Pigs and R-Phils is that in all those years of affiliation with the Phillies, the R-Phils can say that, by themselves, the big team made the World Series twice, winning once. Add in the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs, in existance for 2 years, and already have helped get the Phillies to 2 World Series with one win.

Coincidence?

I have heard many times that the Ironpigs would not be so successful in ticket and merchandise sales if it hadn’t been for the Phillies success in recent years. I think that the Phillies wouldn’t have been successful if it hadn’t been for the Ironpigs!

Call me a biased fan.. it’s ok.

1 day… Like any Pig fan will be able to sleep tonight!

The TV is on in the background this morning and I didn’t realize it until just a few moments ago that the movie, “The Natural” starring Robert Redford had come on.

This movie always makes me think of hearing stories from old timers about how players would use files to sharpen their spikes and left their mitts on the field so they didn’t have to take them back to the dugouts. I recall one of my parent’s friends told me stories of growing up with former pro ball player Eddie Stanky.

For those of you who have never heard of Eddie Stanky, look him up. He played in the 40’s and 50’s and managed for a while too. While on a mission to find one of his baseball cards as a kid, I got a number of stories about the way he looked at and how he played the game. Apparently Stanky had a competative drive to win that few others of his time had. He did what he had to to win and would respect others doing the same. Quite an interesting character from baseball that few speak of these days. Definately someone who helped to shape the game into what it is today. If you ever get a chance to talk to someone who lived in those golden days of baseball or even find a book… you will really get a feel for baseball’s roots.

As the movie progressed and the team added the now famous lightning bolt patch to their uniforms, they all stood on the 3rd base line to sing the National Anthem. Yes, I said sing. The whole stadium, the ushers, the players and even the umpires sang every line. Where have these times gone? We get the 15 yr old Whitney Houston wanna-be’s and the Middle school bands, (God bless ’em) but when was the last time someone came out to the microphone to “lead” the crowd in the National Anthem? If Neil Diamond can show up to Fenway Park, as he did last night, and get everyone in the place to stand up and sing Sweet Caroline, I’m sure that Coca Cola Park could sing along to The Star Spangled Banner too.

The Lehigh Valley Ironpigs have announced their opening day roster!

Pitchers
Jason Anderson
Nate Bump
Alex Concepcion
Brandon Duckworth
John Ennis (stilllll on the DL)
Brian Gordan
Scott Mathieson
Brian Mazone
Joe Savery
Oscar Vilarreal (also on DL)
Ryan Vogelman
Ehren Wasserman (With him in the Bullpen you can imagine the water battle will continue)
Jake Woods
Mike Zagurski

Catchers
Paul Hoover
Dane Sardinha

Infielders
Brian Bocock
Luis Maza
Cody Ransom
Neil Sellers
Andy Tracy
Wilson Valdez

Outfielders
Chris Duffy
John Mayberry
Rich Thompson
DeWayne Wise

No real surprise. Here’s looking at a new season…

For the full article on the Ironpig’s website click here.

Submitted by frequent reader “Kram209”

Thanks Kram209! All – Feel free to add to the discussion!
NN

April 2009 vs April 2010

Andy Tracy1B = Andy Tracy1B push

Pablo Ozuna2B > Wilson Valdez2B Adv. 2009*
*I think Pablo had the better resume

Jason DonaldSS = Brian BocockSS push*
*Donald was a prospect, which made him fun to watch. Bocock’s more of a vet—a defensive backup plan for the Phils, and he is hitting coming out of camp. At this point I can’t declare a winner.

Furmaniak/Tiffee3B < Ransom/Sellers 3B Adv. 2010*
*Tiffee was highly regarded, but injured coming out of camp. Furmaniak was weak. Ransom and Sellers are both playing very well coming out of camp.

Jason Ellison OF < DeWayne Wise OF Adv. 2010*
*Wise will probably play center.

Thompson OF = Thompson OF push

John Mayberry OF < John Mayberry OF Adv. 2010*
*He’s a better hitter now—a known quantity.

Mike Cervenak DH > Chris Duffy OF Adv. 2009*
*Cervy was so dependable at the plate. Duffy could be good, but we just don’t know. Even if you sub in Ransom or Sellers here, I don’t think it’s an advantage.

Jorge Velandia IF = Luis Maza IF push*
*whatever. Maybe Maza’s more versatile?

Hoover/Marson C = Hoover/Sardinha C push*
*Marson was a prospect, but I don’t see a major advantage for the ‘Pigs either way.

Kyle Kendrick SP1 = Drew Carpenter SP1 push*
*both non-dominant vets

Carlos Carrasco SP2 > Joe Savery SP2 Adv. 2009*
*Common thinking was that Carrasco was a star in the making. I like Savery, but he’s been underwhelming so far.

Rodrigo Lopez SP3 > Ryan Vogelsong SP3 Adv. 2009**Lopez was more of a known quantity with ML experience. Vogelsong’s been pitching well, but is a reclamation project: we just don’t know.

Justin Lehr SP4 = Brian Mazone SP4 push*
*I don’t remember the book on Lehr preseason last year. Mazone is a known quantity now that we’ve undone what the Dodgers did to him. No significant advantage at this point.

Drew Carpenter SP5 > Brandon DuckworthSP5 Adv 2009*
*I think when Carpenter comes back to the ‘Pigs this year, this turns back into a push.

Bullpen 2009
Woods/Anderson/Borkowski/Majewski/Walker/Bowers/Koplove

Bullpen 2010
Woods/Anderson/Gordon/Zagurski/Concepcion/Wasserman/Matheison

Adv. 2010: Woods and Anderson cancel out. Stronger middle and end with more potential with the 2010 group

Final Tally: 5-4, advantage 2009. It’s about equal at this point. We know how the story ends in 2009, though. We know the injuries and the trades. We know who showed up and who took PEDs.

I’m maybe more optimistic about this year as a number of these players have been doing really well in Spring Training. The starting pitching makes me nervous, though; I’ll feel more comfortable when/if Drew comes back. I hope the DH spot can replace Cervy.

I went by the stadium this morning and saw them stocking shelves with the new 2010 media guide and couldn’t resist to take a quick look at one.

I bought a media guide in 2008 but didn’t shell out the hefty $15 for the book last year. It was clumsy, it was cluttered and just didn’t seem worth it.

The same is not true of the 2010 media guide. It is beautiful! The pages are all high quality glossy stock and with the guide spiral bound, it makes navigating the guide so much easier, not to mention to extend the life of the book.

I believe I was the first to purchase the guide, the cashier didn’t even have it in the computer yet… I’m glad I went in today. If you get a chance, get yourself a copy, it has great info and looks good too. Also, check out Director of Field Operations, Bill Butler’s calendar of different field designs over the past 2 years.

3 days…

Thanks to Keith Groller and the 1470AM sports team for a fun time on their radio show this morning! We appreciate the publicity and your support!

OINK!

3 days…

Via Facebook Philly Force Owner/GM Thomas Kleinman made the below statement:

“As many of you may be aware I sold the team to a new Investor back in September 2009. We went through a formal closing and funds were anticipated shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, the Buyer ran into some problems and although I made no legal commitment have endeavored to work with him. As of today, he still does… not have his money but recently informed me that he expected to close very soon.

If that happens, we believe the NPF will welcome us back but that is subject to League approval. It is not too late for us to get up and running, as many will recall the Pride came on board last year in May!

Please keep the Force Faith and support us by purchasing apparel from our website http://www.forcestuff.com&#8221;

So we can think one of two ways here.. either they really love the Philly Force softball program and will do anything to keep it running or they are trying to salvage a little out of the trainwreck that the organization became.

I truly enjoyed all of my experiences at Philly Force games and do hope they continue to play but realistically the Force missed this year’s NPF draft and their player pool from last year has either signed on with other NPF teams or made committments to play elsewhere. If, and it’s a big if, they play in 2010 I wouldn’t expect a winning team.

Good luck Mr. Kleinman, I hope you succeed.

Be sure to listen tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM to Keith Groller’s radio program on 1470 AM!

The Noise Nation will be joining the show to talk about the 2010 Ironpigs season!

You can listen online at:
http://radiotime.com/StationDetails.aspx?ScheduleByDate=1&StationId=30073&date=04/03/2010#tab1

Groller’s Corner is the latest mcall.com sports blog dedicated to local sports from Morning Call Local Sports Editor Keith Groller. Groller has been covering the Lehigh Valley sports scene for the past 25 years and has had a front-row seat for lots of big moments on the field and court.