Monthly Archives: December 2010

December 17, 2010 · 10:01 am

Is the Pig ‘Out’ of the Bag?

In the first season the Ironpig’s slogan was, “Go Hog Wild!”

The next year we got my personal favorite, “Laugh, Cheer, Oink!”

Last year was pretty generic with, “All Star Valley.”

So the Ironpig’s think tank is always working full time to amuse and entertain us and I’ve noticed something popping up more and more often.

“Pig Out!”

In a copy of the Pork Barrell blog each segment is separated with a -pig out-. In an email correspondence shared with me earlier today, the salutation of the email is noted as “Pig Out”

Could the phrase, “Pig Out” be the new tagline for the 2011 season? I hope not. I would rather see, “Pig Safe!” 🙂

For me, I’ll stick my original closing and stay with that one for a while…

OinK!

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December 17, 2010 · 8:57 am

Cody See, Cody Too

Thanks to Dean for sending me this link:

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/108212

Towards the bottom you will see that Cody Ransom has also signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Maybe they needed someone to watch ground balls roll into left field too.

OinK!

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December 16, 2010 · 12:39 pm

Ironpig’s Reveal New Website! Pig Poll 12/16/2010

Just checking in at the Ironpig’s website I was a little shocked to see.. well, what I saw.

I first thought I had missed the link on my favorites and ended up on the Minor league baseball homepage and I went back, clicked again.. and found myself at this page. I noticed a few familiar names and photos and then reality set in.

I had heard rumors of this happening and it finally came to be. Minor League baseball has assimilated the Ironpig’s website. The new look is as generic as any other minor league team site now and has a few differences… some good and some I could do without.

Added are news links, Phillies updates and a nice new format. The page is also heavy in Phillies red, which moves away significantly from the standard Ironpig blue that has been used for the past 3 years. The page appears more organized and has a better “official” feel to it.

The parts I could do without are the generic, national ads. The first ads I saw were for an auto insurance company and the ever so present, “Check your credit score for a fee.. I mean for free” links. The longstanding and stalwart local supporters of the team have been relegated to a small, merged, icon in the lower right corner of the page. Doesn’t seem right for the sponsors who have continued to provide the cash for us to enjoy ourselves so greatly here in the Lehigh Valley.

The page does not skimp on references to the MiLB website and links though. Also, multiple notes to check out social media sites are found throughout. (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

Altogether, it’s ok. I guess. I liked the feel good down home feel of the old page. Seems like the league has poked its collective finger into this pocket. Nothing the organization could have prevented but just another portion of individuality the team has, has found its way into the realm of “the greater good.”

View the Ironpig’s new website here.

I created a poll to hear what you have to say.. feel free to comment:

Also, check out the staff photographs. To get there choose Roster then Staff. Click on an employee name for an “image”

Now this is downright creepy.. LOL

OinK!

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December 16, 2010 · 9:34 am

Welcome to Decal! New Voice to the Horn & Bell!

If you haven’t noticed.. recently we’ve brought a new blogger on board here at the Horn & Bell.

Decal has been a loyal reader and dedicated Ironpig’s fan since the start and has a great outlook on the game and all of the fun we have at The Coke.

Welcome him and enjoy the history and insight he will add to this blog!

Dan

OinK!

From the Desk of Decal: Life Without #28

It was a cold day in March, 2008 when Andy Tracy put on a Lehigh Valley Ironpigs uniform and played his first game in front of 10,188 fans who were there to see their new team face the Philadelphia Phillies in a preseason exhibition game. But it was Valentino Pascucci who started at first base with Tracy taking his spot as the designated hitter. Once the season began it didn’t take long for Andy Tracy to become the fan favorite and for 3 seasons he has been the face of the franchise. There were probably more #28 jerseys sold than all others combined. With 356 hits as a member of the Ironpigs, a batting average of .272, 80 doubles, 207 walks, 69 homeruns and 261 RBI’s, he clearly dominated every major offensive category in the short history of Ironpigs baseball. It’s sad to see it come to an end but such is the business of baseball.

The writing on the wall became abundantly clear in early August when Ryan Howard went on the disabled list and Andy Tracy was overlooked as a possible replacement on the Phillies roster. Then, Matt Rizzotti was promoted to the Ironpigs from Reading and Andy was relegated to part-time duty. The final blow came when he received no September promotion to the Phillies when rosters expanded from 25 to 40. Still, there was hope that time would heal those wounds and he would return to the Ironpigs for the 2011 season.

That hope ended on Wednesday when Andy Tracy signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The contract comes with an invitation to spring training where he will compete with former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre nemesis Juan Miranda and young prospect Brandon Allen for a chance at the Arizona first base job which became vacant when the D’backs declined the $7.5 million option on the contract of Adam LaRoche. Arizona had also recently signed Wily Mo Pena as a potential outfielder but with the signing of Xavier Nady today it is possible Pena could also compete for playing time at first base. The Diamondbacks have also been rumored to be one of the teams in the running for former allstar firstbaseman Derrek Lee.

As things stand now, the frontrunner for the job appears to be Juan Miranda. New Arizona GM Kevin Towers was a special assistant to Brian Cashman of the Yankees last year and knows the Yankees farm system well. The left handed Miranda is 27 years old and defected from Cuba to the Dominican Republic in 2004. He signed a 4 year contract with the Yankees in December, 2006 and played for SWB the last 3 seasons but also had some limited time with the big club. In parts of 3 seasons, he hit .253 with 4 homers in New York. He has been very consistent in AAA and has always been a thorn in the side of the Ironpigs. On opening day, 2009 he hit a 3-run homer off lefty reliever Jake Woods to break open a close game and kept the Ironpigs from going over .500 for the first time. Arizona acquired Miranda in a trade on November 18th and barring another trade or free agent signing it looks like the first base job in Arizona is his to lose.

Brandon Allen is a 24 year old slugger who also bats lefthanded. Allen has seen limited time in the major leagues but his biggest problem has been strikeouts. In 149 big league at bats he has struck out 60 times. Allen was acquired in July, 2009 in a trade with the White Sox and finished the year at AAA Reno where he hit .324 with 12 homers in 145 at bats. He also played for Reno in 2010 and hit .261 with 25 homers in just 371 at bats.

My guess is that Brandon Allen begins 2011 again with Reno where he will share time with Andy Tracy at first base and DH. The Pacific Coast League is a hitters paradise and given enough at bats I think Tracy will thrive out there. He played a full season for Colorado Springs in 2004 and hit .315 with 33 homeruns. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him come close to those numbers again. As much as it hurts to see him go, I’m sure we all wish him well with his new team. Looks like the new face of the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs will be their manager. Best of luck Andy and feel free to come back to Coca-Cola Park anytime.

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December 15, 2010 · 3:05 pm

Andy Tracy Signs..

Andy Tracy signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks… more details when available.

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December 14, 2010 · 10:45 pm

So You Thought Opening Day Was April 7th?

For those of you who are already counting down the days to the 2011 Ironpigs season may want to subtract 2 days from your countdown. As I was casually browsing through the Ironpigs website I took a look at the “Printable” pdf 2011 schedule. There it was, highlighted in red for all to see, a home game, on Tuesday, April 5th at 6:35 PM, a full 2 days and 30 minutes before I thought there would be AAA baseball in Allentown. Well, 50% AAA baseball and 50% AA baseball as the opponent once again will be the Reading Phillies. That’s good enough for me. If my math is correct, that makes 111 days until the first pitch at Coca-Cola Park. Now that’s something to get excited about on a day when the temperature barely made it into the low 20’s. Can the signing of Andy Tracy be far behind?

http://ironpigsbaseball.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/Calendar/2011_SCHEDULE_FINAL.pdf

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December 14, 2010 · 7:43 am

How Cliff Lee Signing Will Impact the 2011 Ironpigs

The news broke late last night. Cliff Lee is signing back up to be a Phillie. What great news for Phillies fans and for fans in general.

Cliff Lee turned down the fat cash from the Yankees {spit} What a great thing to see a professional do. Take less money to play the game where he wants to play, for the fans who want him. What a reception this man will get when he steps back onto the mound at Citizen’s Bank Park. Think JD Drew but on the opposite end of the scale.

So as Ironpig fans… my condolences to those of you who are Yankee {spit} fans. I know we have some in our ranks. It’s ok. All in fun. The real question is how will this impact the 2011 Ironpig roster?

Without a doubt, Blanton will be gone. Kendrick will most likely not be a starter. The most capable would be Blanton, but you also have guys like Bastardo in there. Although a lefty, he seems a strong candidate for the 5th spot of a rotation with 4 who would be a #1 pitcher on most teams. You can have a rotation with a Righty (Halladay) Lefty (Lee) Righty (Oswalt) Lefty (Hamels) and Lefty (Bastardo). Let’s see how spring training treats everyone. Also, don’t leave Drew Carpenter out of the discussion as a fifth starter. (and I’m not just saying that because he sent a recipe for Frito pie in for the Noise Nation charity cookbook) 🙂

The Phillies current 40 man roster contains a good number for 2011 Ironpigs.

Pitchers:
Drew Carpenter – Yes, if he has a super strong showing in spring, he could make the show.. chances are high he will be at The Coke this season.

Sergio Escalona – He’s been here before. I have a feeling it will be tough to get a spot in the Phillies bullpen

David Herndon – Last year he rode the Phillies bench to keep him around after being a Rule 5 draft. With the full season at the MLB level he can be designated down to the minors for more seasoning.

Kyle Kendrick – Unless he accepts a long relief role with the Phillies, he will be a Pig.

Scott Mathieson – Scott can go either way. His fastball was a little too straight last season and if Bruce Sutter can get him ready to go.. a strong spring will put him in the running against Madsen. Could go either way.

Vance Worley – Worley did well last year. Another prospect who needs seasoning. Count on him in Reading or Lehigh Valley

Mike Zagurski – Another who needs to be in AAA for another season.

Catchers:
Dane Sardinha – Like McArthur… He’ll be back

Tuffy Gosewisch – Has a chance to be in Reading or Lehigh Valley depending on spring performance

Erik Kratz – Recently signed, he could have a possible spot with the Pigs. Probably looking to land a back up role for the Phillies, he could also be an early release if Brian Schneider outperforms him in the spring.

Infielders:
Brian Bocock – I don’t see him beating out Valdez, but you never know. Shortstop will be there for the Pigs.

Michael Martinez – Like Kratz, being recently signed could mean quickly released… but let’s see. He could stay on with us.

Matt Rizzotti – Unless something drastic happens, he will be the Ironpig’s first baseman. If Andy Tracy returns, it will most likely be in a player/coach role.

Jeff Larish – A veteran AAA infielder, I would imagine he is the Ironpig’s 2nd or 3rd baseman.

Outfielders:
Domonic Brown – I see him starting in the Lehigh Valley and finishing the season with the Phillies. Think All Star break. Depends on if/who the Phillies pick up to replace Werth.

John Mayberry – Suffering an injury early in the winter leagues, Mayberry might have a tough time in the spring. If he does well, he could find himself filling Brown’s outfield spot in Philly until Brown is ready.

Rich Thompson – Thompson is probably the strongest choice I have to return to the Pigs. He could be the only 2008 Ironpig to continue for 4 seasons and his popularity is only matched by Andy Tracy. Not to mention his hustle in the outfield and on the bases.

As far as the other roster spots.. the Pigs will see what the Phillies drop down unto them and there will be a 4th outfielder. There will be 4 to 5 starters and there will be a full roster on opening day.

Guess time for opening day 2011…

SP – Drew Carpenter
C – Dane Sardinha
1B – Matt Rizzotti
2B – Wilson Valdez
3B – Jeff Larish
SS – Brian Bocock
RF – John Mayberry
CF – Rich Thompson
LF – Domonic Brown

Just my thoughts. Feel free to add your own in comments.

OinK!

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December 13, 2010 · 2:17 pm