Just noticed via @eddymk on Twitter, that the Mets have signed former Ironpig Les Walrond. Walrond had an impact in the creation of Noise Nation with his 17 strikeout performance in 2008. Maybe we will see him back at the Coke in 2011.
The bigger news in town is that Charlie Manuel has signed a 2 year extension to manage the Phillies. Rightfully so. He has done a great job leading the Phillies in no doubt one of the greatest eras in team history.
On another note, I’m going to flash back a few months to recall many many conversations on why Ryne Sandberg took over the Ironpigs helm. Everyone seemed to have a thought and opinion.
“He’s here to replace Charlie, no doubt about it”
“He’s upset because the Cubs didn’t give him the big league job”
“He’s going to bail on the Ironpigs as soon as someone offers him a chance to manage in the bigs”
“The Phillies are going to groom him to be Charlie’s replacement”
Which of those do you believe? Let’s make this a poll…. see what you all think.
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
LES WALROND — the Inspiration for the OINKKK Strikeout Sign — has been pitching in Japan and Korea the past few years.
That would be good, to see such a giant in IronPigs lore back at the Park, er, ah, Coke.
🙂
Hmmmmm, a good manager you say? We had more talent than the Giants last year, maybe more talent than the Yanks in 2009. Let’s not forget Charlie is suppose to be a great hitting coach, when is the last time a Phils regular had a good offensive year? I hope Ryno is ready for the Big Job—he will be Phillies manager by June 2013, Charlie will not finish out contract—–i am a huge Manuel fan, but he is falling into the Joe Torre of the NL–and i consider Torre the worst winning manager of all time!!!!!!
According to Todd Zolecki, Brian Bocock injured his wrist on Wednesday in the game against the Tigers. X-rays were negative but it is possible he could have tendon or ligament issues. Bocock is being sent to Philadelphia to be examined by a hand specialist.
Also from Todd Zolecki at mlb.com: “Right-hander Michael Stutes continues to impress. He retired Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson in order in the seventh inning. He has allowed three hits, one run and struck out eight in six innings in the Grapefruit League. Manager Charlie Manuel said that umpire Brian O’Nora told him Stutes had “hard, late life” on his ball. “He said his ball really takes off,” Manuel said. “He said that was the first time he saw that this year.” People in the Phillies organization also like Stutes because of his stuff and competitiveness”.
I love it when a plan comes together.
OK, maybe it’s not the plan. What do I know? But I had a Mets’ fan in my office yesterday, and talk turned to baseball. Because, you know, it’s better than work. OK, to be fair, he’s not the one who brought up baseball–given the Mets’ recent troubles. But he took the ribbing quite well, and wanted to share with me the news of Manuel’s contract; he knows I’m about IronPigs way more than Phillies.
I remarked that I knew, then described the master plan: The Phils’ minor league hotshots are likely to be together again in Clearwater this year after winning in the SAL in Lakewood last year. That would take them to Reading in 2012, and LHV in 2013. After playing for Ryne in AAA, they all move up together in 2014. Oh, injuries and trades could get in the way, and Ryne might be tempted by a MLB job before 2014, but this is the plan. It has been written.