It’s all over the place this week. Ryan Howard is set to begin a rehab assignment soon and the Ironpig’s begin a 5 game home stand on Saturday. Will we see him again at The Coke? We just might… The last time he was here was on a cold windy, yet clear, day in March 2008.
I do like to see the occasional rehabbing major league star.. but this season has put a damper to it. We’ve seen TOO many rehabbing stars and, more importantly, we’ve lost our key and best players on the Ironpig’s roster. Is seeing someone for one game worth a losing season? Is it a fair trade off as a fan?
We’ve seen Victorino…. Ruiz.. a few pitchers here and there. Maybe now the high priced Ryan Howard. Is it worth being the 2nd worst team in the league?
At least we aren’t Rochester…
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On another note, a lot of scuttlebutt about Joe Savery this week. Word on the street, and every blog and online column, is that the Phillies are going to try and convert him to a position player. Not sure what the Phillies are obligated to give Savery but they are giving him a lot of chances.
Savery seems like a cool guy. Last summer he helped orchestrate the great water battle at the last home game. He tries.. that’s all I ask.
We’ll see if this works…
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One non-baseball note that was brought to my attention by Keith Groller’s blog (Link on the blogroll to the right) is that we might be seeing another indoor league football team here in the Lehigh Valley. The demise of the former team actually helped me make my decision not to purchase season tickets to the now defunct Philly Force softball franchise. With hockey coming one day.. some day.. this could add to our off season adventures.
Speaking of the National Pro Fastpitch season… the four team league is winding down the season soon and memories of the fun last year at Force games still pop up at times. Ironpig fans should be very thankful to the ownership of the Ironpigs who keep this team here and financially sound.
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I would also like to apologize for the lack of timely posts lately. My health and personal life have been busy lately and the blog has taken the hit. Hopefully will get more up to date soon.
Thanks for reading!!
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
My view on any minor league team is to support the parent club, by developing the talent, and providing a location for rehabbing players.
With this definition, the IronPigs have done just that. The reason the fan faithful at Coca Cola Park have seen these rehab assignments is because of the injuries suffered by the players with the parent club.
The organization could decide to have the “convalescing” players rehab at Clearwater, or Reading, etc. Why wouldn’t we as fans not want to see these players rehab at CCP? For one thing it brings a spark to the team, and to the fans. CCP is normally a pretty electric place, but Victorino driving in 3 runs for a winning cause, really sets the place on fire! Another reason is that they help the team post a W!
What’s the downside to any of that? Bring on Ryan Howard!
Would I like to see Dom Brown stay in a LVIP uniform? Yes. Did you see the 440 ft bomb he hit last night in front of 45K fans at The Bank? That’s what the LVIPs are here to do, making sure that he’ll be able to hit those bombs, and give him a place to work on it when he can’t.
Just my 2 cents
“CCP is normally a pretty electric place”
You’re right, when it’s in between innings and there is some crazy diversion happening on the video board or on the field.
Most fans could care less about the game or even have a clue about what’s happening on the field.
It’s a just giant social event like a picnic. Just with really expensive beer and some mediocre food.
And Kram you are right on with your comment about the “Battlefield” crap.
It’s just another idiotic diversion for people to keep from focusing on the lousy and uninspiring baseball being played.
Well, I still give the fans a pass. I’ve been there when the reaction to the action on the field is appropriate. It’s just that the action isn’t always there…. Plus, like I said, it’s not like it was any better at CBP Thursday night: plenty of people eating and hanging out on the concourses. I was at a Reading game last month, which was great and the crowd felt similar to an IronPigs crowd–at least in my section. Best crowd of the year so far for me was Giants @ Nationals July 9. They don’t draw well, but this was a fireworks night…wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. It was a Strasburg night, though.
I just never usually blame “The IronPigs” because it feels like I’m hating on a great, new, local asset. It’s the Phillies who provide the “talent” so they should get the blame…
But, now that five people have complained about the fireworks… (Morning Call Saturday; front page above the fold) I guess the hating and complaining might work. We can’t have a winning team; we can’t have a cool mascot name; we can’t have horns; our mascots now look like giraffepigs–now, no fireworks.
Ehh, I’m over-reacting. They’re still going to have them. I read the whole article. Just “quiet-er.” Dan in right field with a sparkler?? 🙂
Giveaway for next season, ear plugs and sleep masks.
How is it Scranton/Wilkes-Barre does not have the on-field product problem the IronPigs do?
Have the Yankees been as injury plagued as the Phils?
My question is, how does SWB have an on field product, but can’t fill seats?
Please Joe, look at last year and the year before.
Scranton is usually in first or near the top of the division and the Pigs have been at best slightly sub-.500 and at their worst, like now and in ’08, bordering on unwatchable.
It’s because they plan in an area that’s even more economically depressed than the LV and have you ever been to the park in Scranton?
It’s easily the worst place in the whole IL to watch a game.
The seats are very far from the field and when it was built in ’89 it was supposed to be a mini-Vet. Enough said.
“Have the Yankees been as injury plagued as the Phils?”
That has nothing to do with it.
The Scranton Yankees in ’08-’10 have either been first and near first almost the entire time and the Pigs have at best been barely sub.-500 and at worst, as in ’08 and now, are bordering on unwatchable.
The injury answer is just an excuse.
I was on the road today and had WIP on the radio. They said Howard will be playing in Lakewood on Friday and Lehigh Valley on Saturday. He could be activated as early as Sunday.
I was very excited when I heard about Ryan Howard. Tyler is all excited. He wants to try to get his auto. I told him good luck with that.
As for Savery…. you never know. Look how Gordon used to be an outfielder and now he pitches. Stranger things have happened. Lol
CHANGE? While they are at it, maybe they can make Huppert one of the parking attendants? That might be an insult to the parking attendants!
The Phillies experiment makes some sense. If you research Savery’s college stats at Rice he was a very good college hitter. I also would not totally give up on him as a pitcher after only one unsuccessful season. He is still only 25 and some decent left handed pitchers in the past had a history of maturing later. Good left handed pitching is a valuable commodity. It is worth giving a lefty pitcher every chance to succeed if some signs of ability still exist.
Dan, I hope you are feeling better and any recent health issues are over.
Thanks! I think the worst is behind me. Appreciate the kind words
Excellent question – why does SWB attendance suck? But that’s another matter.
Am I to understand the Philadelphia Phillies have been so injury plaqued as to explain the IronPigs on-field product taken as a three-year whole?
Point being, the Yankees have not, apparently, operated a garbage dump for a AAA team as, perhaps, say has Philadelphia…
Correct. Also, maybe, their coaching is better. It’s not like the Yankees don’t trade away prospects and do other things to benefit their big club, either. I mean, they had Cody Ransom…
Anyway, I’m going to see for myself. I’ll be at the SWB game in Moosic on 8/26 while y’all are enjoying free food at CCP for the ticketholder event. I’ll report back.
I was at the Phillies game last night. It was crowded and my seats were horrible (that I bought last, like, February, with my IronPigs priviledges). The Phillies got crushed and I can’t say that the crowd was any better than at any IronPigs game I’ve ever been to. I don’t want to hear another word from Phillies fans about how horrible the LV fans are. I had a much better time at a ‘Nats game in July… (next up: SWB 8/26, Pittsburgh 9/3)
One more thing: Battlefield zones? Really? We can’t win at baseball so we’re gonna try changing the rules? Why not just give EVERY section a free roast beef or a free Applebees appetizer instead of skimping. Crimony.
I’m kidding…whatever. I gave my tix away for Saturday night before I knew about the rehab, and the drive to/from Philly still has me on edge…