Monthly Archives: March 2011

With an aging team of stars, the Phillies seem to be falling into the Disabled list early this season. It has to be expected after a long off season and the not-so-young team they are fielding. The Phillies will be fine though. They are fed by a quality system and there is hidden talent amongst its farm clubs.

What I keep thinking is… How will the Phillies injuries impact the Ironpig’s quality of play. We’ve seen it in the past with injuries and, yes, AAA is where the big clubs store their back ups and their back ups, but it still does hurt us average Pig fan when we see talent moving up. We’re likely not to see John Mayberry back (at least not until Domonic Brown is ready) and we are less likely to see Brown anytime soon either. I would imagine once he is healed he will spend more time in Florida before being jockeyed between Reading and Lehigh Valley depending on which team is at home at that point.

First, we see Chase Utley going on the DL to start the season. Last season we were fully expecting Wilson Valdez to be our second baseman. Those hopes were dashed by a better than the other options effort by Valdez earning him a spot on the Phillies bench. Good for him, boo for a team who has never seen above .500. Add in Polanco having some early troubles and we may lose another infielder to start the season not to mention Brian Bocock being injured this spring as well.

Then we see Brad Lidge go down. Could this be the shot Scott Mathieson needs to prove he truly has returned from that pair of Tommy John surgeries? He was looking awful good at the end of last season and would be a good choice to fill the need if Lidge goes down for a significant amount of time. The others, Werley, Schwimer and Stutes may be having a better spring but they aren’t as seasoned as Mathieson.

There’s also the outfield. Will Ibanez hold up? Victorino is tough but also has a history of some injuries. Could Coca Cola Park lose a few more folks to Citizen’s Bank Park?

As much as I’d like to see these guys make the show and live the dream it makes me wonder. What will the Ironpig’s look like on April 7th when they take the field beginning the 2011 season? Will the talent and effort and maturity be there to win some games or just mark time to get those 9 innings work days over with..

I was really impressed when the organization signed Ryne Sandberg to manage the Pigs this year. Huppert may have been a good teacher and good leader but he certainly was not a fan’s manager. No Tommy Lasorda there. Word around town back then was that the Phillies didn’t want to embarrass Sandberg with a dismal team. Signings and aquisitions solidified that rumor into reality. The potential 2011 Ironpigs look pretty decent on paper and in spring training. Now that has all changed.

Those pesky injuries to the Phillies. You can almost expect one of the miraculous starting pitchers to go down for a bit this season or need a rest. The infield is currently in shambles and the only rock solid healthy guarantee is the vegan burger served in concessions.

Don’t expect great things early.. at least I won’t, but I can still hope. It is a new season and everyone starts with a 0-0 record. Even the Scranton Yankees.

12 days until opening day at the Coke. Only 2 days to vote for this blog in the Morning Call’s blog contest and 20 days to get your donation in to support the Noise Nation’s charity cook book.

OinK!

So I’m torn about what to do on April 9th. Can you help me make my decision?

Here’s the deal. I have 2 sets of season tickets. 1 for the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. 1 for the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.

Both teams have a game on April 9th. Both games start around 7:00pm.

I will present a case for each team:

Ironpigs

Since 2008, I’ve missed only 3 games (All in 2008). Take 72 games per season, add in 3 R-Phils exhibition games and 1 Phillies exhibition… that’s 215 games attended at Coca Cola Park. (2 exhibition games have been in Reading) I have not missed a game since April 30th of 2008. Has anyone out there attended more games than me? (non-Ironpig employees)

The Phillie Phanatic will be performing at The Coke on April 9th. Who doesn’t love the Phanatic? Although, he never comes into the outfield to see us and photo ops are pretty rare.

It will be cold out there on April 9th. I’m no weatherman, but it’s cold in PA in April and there is the saying about April Showers…

Steel Hawks

The Steelhawks have but 7 home games all season.

I’ve attended the first game and can begin an “I’ve attended every home game” streak.

It will be inside Stabler Arena and I’ll be nice and warm and dry.

The Steel Hawks encourage Horns and Bells and noise!

We get to hang out with the team after the game. (That ever happen at the Ironpigs? Well if you’re an attractive female.. possibly)

So there you have it. Do I keep my 2+ year streak going for the Ironpigs and bail on our new friends, toughing it out in the harsh April weather, or do I take in a Steelhawks game with a Horn and Bell in hand?

What do you think?

.. the growing list of Sponsors on the right column of this blog. These are people and businesses who have helped us support our Cook book fundraiser for the National Brain Tumor Society!

Thanks so far to those who have helped!
Enter.Net!
Diamondwear Apparel!
Fink Ink!
Philly Pretzel Factory!
Martin’s Chips!
Trexler Auto Sales!
Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network!
Modern Design Salon!
BVD’ Rangs!
Fossil’s Last Stand Pub & Grill!
Tommy Burke’s Provisions!

Please take a moment to check out these folks who have helped out such a great charity! Just click on their icon on the right!

If you’d like to help out, we are still currently accepting donations towards the publication of our cook book. Details can be found here. We are also accepting “In honor of” and “In memory of” donations to be included in the book.

Thank you!!!

DK

Former Ironpig David Newhan is back in baseball. Suffering a broken neck while surfing after the 2009 season, Newhan has signed with the San Diego Padres organization trying to make a comeback. At 37 years old, most career minor leaguers would have long been retired, but it looks like Newhan wants to prove he can still play.

We remember his days in the Lehigh Valley. Signed as a player/coach, Newhan knocked down one of our K’s from the OINK sign with a long homerun and cemented himself in the memory of the Noise Nation.

His comeback revealed by thepostgame.com, you can click the link for the full story.

Good luck David!!

Enjoy… from the Ironpig’s Media Department. Will try to write more soon.

WORLEY, TRIPLE-A PHILS BLANK BUCS, 3-0

RHP Vance Worley made his first minor league spring start in style, as he and three Triple-A Phillies relievers shut out the Triple-A Tigers, 3-0, at Pirate City in Bradenton on Tuesday.

Worley — who went a respectable 1-0, 3.86 ERA in 4 G, 1 GS in Major League Camp – turned in 4.2 scoreless innings, scattering six hits while walking none and fanning five.

The relief corps of RHP Justin De Fratus (2.1 ip, 2 k), LHP Juan Perez (ip, bb, k) and RHP Matt Anderson (SV, ip) combined to go 4.1 innings of hitless baseball to complete the white-washing.

Worley, 23, is a top pitching prospect within the Phillies organization and a member of Philadelphia’s 40-Man Roster. The team’s third round pick in 2008 initially skipped Triple-A and made his Major League debut with a scoreless inning of relief on July 24 against Colorado. Sent to Lehigh Valley following that game, the 6’2″ right-hander went 1-3, 3.77 in eight starts as an IronPig. He was again recalled to Philadelphia following the minor league season and finished 1-1, 1.38 in five games, two starts in his first Major League season. While in Reading, Worley went 9-4, 3.20 in 19 starts and was selected as a 2010 Eastern League All-Star.

The offense mustered three runs on eight hits as 2B Harold Garcia (2-3, BB, R) managed the only multi-hit game. 3B Carlos Rivero (1-1, 2B) came off the bench for the team’s lone extra base hit and an RBI and CF Chris Frey went 0-4 but collected the only other RBI.

RF Rich Thompson, the IronPigs all-time stolen base leader, had two more swipes on Tuesday and is now a perfect six-for-six in stolen-base attempts this preseason.

The Triple-A Phillies (5-3) will next host the Triple-A Yankees on Wednesday at Yankees Complex in Tampa. Game-time is scheduled for 1 PM.

TRIPLE-A PHILLIES 3, TRIPLE-A PIRATES 0 (Unofficial Box):

PLAYER AB R H RBI
1. Frey, Christopher- CF 4 0 0 1
2. Hanzawa, Troy- SS 5 0 0 0
3. Larish, Jeffrey- 3B 2 0 0 0
Rivero, Carlos 1 1 1 1
4. Bozied, Tagg- DH 4 0 1 0
5. Rizzotti, Matt- 1B 4 0 1 0
6. Moss, Brandon- RF 2 0 0 0
Thompson, Rich 2 0 1 0
7. Miller, Matthew- LF 2 0 1 0
Kennelly, Timothy- LF 2 1 1 0
8. Suomi, John- C 2 0 0 0
Valle, Sebastian- C 1 0 0 0
9. Garcia, Harold- 2B 3 1 2 0

E– Hanzawa (3), Rivero (1). 2B– Rivero (2). SB—Thompson 2 (6), Kennelly (1), Valle (1).

PITCHER IP H R ER BB K
Worley, Vance 4.2 6 0 0 0 5
De Fratus, Justin 2.1 0 0 0 0 2
Perez, Juan 1.0 0 0 0 1 1
Anderson, Matt SV, 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0

From the Ironpig’s Media department:

Phils’ Triple-A SPRING Squad BUCKS BUCCOS, 6-5, on monday

The Phillies’ Triple-A spring training squad cranked out 12 hits en route to a 6-5 edging of the Triple-A Pirates at Prates Complex in Bradenton on Monday. The win improved the team to 4-3 in minor league spring training play.

The top three hitters in the lineup – CF Rich Thompson (2-4, 2B, R), SS Troy Hanzawa (2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R) and RF Brandon Moss (2-5) – all recorded multi-hit games; with Hanzawa and Moss pacing the club with two RBIs apiece. 3B Carlos Rivero (2-4) had the team’s other multi-hit game while 1B Tagg Bozied (0-3, BB) had the other RBI.

Moss is now batting 4-10 (.400) since being reassigned from Major League camp. The 27-year-old spent most of 2010 in the Pirates system with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he hit .266-22-96 and led the International league in RBI (batted a robust .307 with runners in scoring position). He also appeared in 17 games with Pittsburgh, but hit just .154-0-2. A native of Monroe, Ga., Moss was considered a huge prospect with the Boston Red Sox organization after originally being drafted in the eighth round of 2002. He made it up to the Majors in 2007 and later made headlines when he went 2-5 with a game-tying, ninth-inning home run off Oakland closer Huston Street on Major League Baseball’s Opening Day in Tokyo, Japan, March 25, 2008. Later that season, he was a key part of the trade that brought Jason Bay to Boston (and sent Manny Ramirez to LAD), July 31, 2008. In parts of five big league seasons, Moss has hit .238-15-78 in 244 games. In parts of three seasons, he is a combined .275-46-204 in 312 International League contests. Moss signed with the Phillies as a minor league free agent on Nov. 22 and is expected to be a key cog in the 2011 IronPigs lineup.

RHP Ryan Feierabend got the starting nod Monday, allowing three run on five hits and two walks in four innings of work. He was followed by RHP Brian Bass (3 ip, 2 g, r, 0 er, 3 bb, 2 k), RHP Michael Schwimer (1 ip, 2 k) and RHP Drew Carpenter (SV, 1 ip, 4 h, r, er). Schwimer has not allowed a hit, a run or a walk I his five innings pitched (three minor league games).

The Triple-A Phils will next host the Triple-A Pirates today at Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Fla. First-pitch is scheduled for 1 PM.

TRIPLE-A PHILLIES 6, TRIPLE-A PIRATES 5 (Unofficial Box):

PLAYER AB R H RBI

1. Thompson, Rich-CF 4 1 2 0

Frey, Christopher-CF 1 1 1 0

2. Hanzawa, Troy-SS 3 2 2 2

3. Moss, Brandon-RF 5 0 2 2

4. Bozied, Tagg-1B 3 0 0 1

5. Larish, Jeff-DH 3 1 1 0

6. Miller, Matthew-LF 2 0 0 0

Spidale, Michael-LF 1 0 0 0

7. Rivero, Carlos-3B 4 0 2 0

8. Naughton, Joel-C 3 0 1 0

Suomi, John-C 1 1 1 0

9. Mintken, Korby-2B 3 0 0 0

E – Moss (1), Mintken (1), Suomi (1). 2B – Thompson (1), Hanzawa (2). 3B – Hanzawa (1). SB – Thompson (4). CS – Hanzawa (1).

PITCHER IP H R ER BB K

Feierabend, Ryan 4.0 5 3 3 2 3

Bass, Brian 3.0 2 1 0 3 2

Schwimer, Michael 1.0 0 0 0 0 2

Carpenter, Drew (SV, 2) 1.0 4 1 1 0 0

From the Ironpig’s Media team:

LATE JAYS RUN SINKS TRIPLE-A PHILLIES ON SUNDAY, 3-2

RHP Matt Anderson allowed a tie-breaking — and game-winning — run late in Sunday’s game, as the Triple-A Blue Jays edged the Triple-A Phillies, 3-2, at Englebert Complex in Dunedin.

The Phillies team actually outhit the Jays, 9-4; but dropped its record to an even 3-3 for the spring.

RHP Eddie Bonine started and allowed a pair of runs in three innings of work (h, bb, 4 k). The relief was then solid as both RHP Jason Grilli (h, bb) and RHP Michael Stutes (bb, k) tossed two scoreleess innings. Anderson — attempting to amke a comeback after not pitching professionally the past two seasons — was tagged with the loss (ip, 2 h, r, er, 3 bb).

The Phils offense got multi-hit games from CF Chris Frey (2-3, 2B) and DH Tagg Bozied (2-3, 2 2B, BB). LF Matt Miller (1-4) and CF Rich Thompson (1-1) delivered the lone RBIs. 1B Matt Rizzotti was 1-2 with 2 BB.

Michael Stutes appeared in 28 games with Lehigh Valley last season, going 4-1, 3.10 and a SV after a June 18 promotion from Double-A Reading. It was the first season as a reliever for the Phillies 11th round selection of 2008, who led the Eastern League in starts (27) in 2009. A back-to-back NCAA National Champion with Oregon State (2006-07), Stutes has garnered significant attention in big league camp this season. In five Major League spring training games, Stutes was 0-0, 1.00 (gs, 9 ip, 3 h, r, er, hr, bb, 9 k).

The Triple-A Phils next host the Triple-A Pirates at Carpenter Complex in Clearwater on Monday at 1 PM.

TRIPLE-A BLUE JAYS 3, TRIPLE-A BLUE JAYS 2 (Unofficial Box):

PLAYERS AB R H RBI
1. FREY, CHRISTOPHER-CF 3 0 2 0
THOMPSON, RICH-CF 1 1 1 1
2. MILLER, MATTHEW-LF 4 0 1 1
3. LARISH, JEFFREY-3B 3 0 0 0
RIVERO, CARLOS-3B 1 0 0 0
4. BOZIED, TAGG-DH 3 0 2 0
5. MOSS, BRANDON-RF 2 0 1 0
6. RIZZOTTI, MATTHEW-1B 4 0 0 0
7. SPIDALE, MICHAEL-DH 4 0 1 0
8. NAUGHTON, JOEL-C 2 0 0 0
KENNELLY, TIMOTHY-C 1 0 0 0
9. HERNANDEZ, FIDEL-SS 3 0 0 0
10. GARCIA, HAROLD-2B 3 1 1 0

2B – Frey (2), Bozied 2 (2), Garcia (1).

PITCHERS IP H R ER BB K
BONINE, EDDIE 3 1 2 2 1 4
GRILLI, JASON 2 1 0 0 1 0
STUTES, MICHAEL 2 0 0 0 1 1
ANDERSON, MATT L, 0-1 1 2 1 1 3 0

From the Ironpig’s media department.

TRIPLE-A PHILLIES RETURN TO WINNING WAYS OVER JAYS, 5-1, ON SATURDAY

RHP Drew Naylor and three relievers combined to allow just one run as the Triple-A Phillies defeated the Triple-A Blue Jays, 5-1, at Carpenter Complex on Saturday. The win snapped a two-game skid and put the team back above .500 (3-2) in minor league spring training games.

Naylor started and worked into the fifth inning (4.2 ip, 3 h, r, er, bb, 4 k) before yielding to LHP Dan Meyer (1.1 ip, bb, k), RHP Justin De Fratus (2 ip, 2 h, bb, 2 k) and LHP Juan Perez (1 ip, bb, 2 k).

The offense only collected seven hits; but, one day after recording no extra base hits, the lineup produced five — including a solo home run by CF Chris Frey (1-3) and doubles by C Brian Schneider, RF Brandon Moss, LF Michael Spidale and C Joel Naughton. Schneider also had a game-high 2 RBI.

Naylor, 24, spent last season as an Eastern League All-Star with Double-A Reading — going 12-10, 4.63 ERA in 27 G, 26 GS and tying for the EL lead with two shutouts. A member of the Phillies’ 40-Man Roster, the 6’4″ right-hander was originally signed by Philadelphia as an amateur free agent out of Brisbane, Australia, on March 2, 2004. Naylor, whose father Geoff played professional rugby for the Balmain Tigers (1978-79), pitched for Australia in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He also pitched for Brisbane in the Australian Baseball League this past winter (0-0, 3.00 in 3 G). In five career minor league seasons, Naylor has gone 38-40, 4.12 ERA and 1 SV in 106 G, 94 GS.

The Triple-A Phillies will next make the short jaunt to Englebert Complex in Dunedin to take on the Triple-A Blue Jays again Sunday at 1 PM.

TRIPLE-A PHILLIES 5, TRIPLE-A BLUE JAYS 1 (Unofficial Box):

PLAYERS AB R H RBI
1. FREY, CHRISTOPHER-CF 3 1 1 1
THOMPSON, RICH-CF 1 0 0 0
2. HANZAWA, TROY-SS 3 1 1 0
3. SCHNEIDER, BRIAN-C 5 1 1 2
NAUGHTON, JOEL-C 1 0 1 1
4. BOZIED, TAGG-1B 3 0 0 0
LARISH, JEFFREY-1B 0 0 0 0
5. RIVERO, CARLOS-3B 3 1 1 0
KENNELLY, TIMOTHY-3B 0 0 0 0
6. MOSS, BRANDON-RF 3 1 1 0
7. RIZZOTTI, MATTHEW-DH 3 0 0 0
8. SLAYDEN, JEREMY-DH 3 0 0 0
9. SPIDALE, MICHAEL-LF 2 0 1 1
MILLER, MATTHEW-LF 1 0 0 0
10. GARCIA, HAROLD-2B 3 0 0 0

2B – Schneider (1), Moss (1), Spidale (1), Naughton (1). HR – Frey (1).

PITCHERS IP H R ER BB K
NAYLOR, DREW 4.2 3 1 1 1 4
MEYER, DAN 1.1 0 0 0 1 1
DE FRATUS, JUSTIN 2 2 0 0 1 2
PEREZ, JUAN 1 0 0 0 1 2

I was unsure of what to expect tonight. Having never been to an indoor arena football game I noticed small differences and big differences. I won’t go over all of these but will highlight what I found the most interesting.

First off, the place was not packed, but it was LOUD! I counted about 9 false starts from the Richmond Revolution’s offense. (I’m a Seattle Seahawks fan and have come to learn that many false starts can be directly attributed to crowd noise) Perhaps it was the thunder sticks handed out to every fan coming into the stadium or it could have been the Noise Nation, but I have to say I heard the phrase, “Bring the Noise!” more than I’ve heard in a while.

The game moved very quickly compared to NFL games I have attended. Still 4 quarters. Still 15 minute quarters. Just not a TV timeout every 2-3 minutes.

So we started off with a lovely and patriotic singing of the National Anthem by one of the many Steelhawks Dance Team members.

She sang the Anthem beautifully.

The first quarter was exciting with the Steelhawks jumping out to an early lead with a touchdown. It looked like they commanded the first half and the Richmond team seemed to be affected by the level of enthusiam of the newly minted Steelhawk fans. Richmond soon came back. There were several interceptions and a fumble.

I thought this was a cool photo. Looks like he's flying

Play went back and forth and the last 2 minutes proved to be the deciding moments. Sadly, it was someone wearing a black and white uniform who ultimately decided which direction this game was going to go. The Steelhawks had Richmond pinned deep in their own territory and were holding fast with a 4 point lead. The hail mary pass went up, the Richmond Receiver went into the wall, pass incomplete. We all groaned when a late flag hit the turf installed on the floor at Stabler Arena. I didn’t see a replay, but the Revolution’s receiver looked just as surprised. This gave the Revolution a first down with only 5 yards to go for the go ahead score which came quickly after. (Speaking to several players and coaches after the game, this play was hotly contested.) With only 1:20 on the clock in the final quarter it looked like the Steelhawks were doomed. The ensuing kickoff got them to midfield. A quick play got them down to a dozen or so yards for the chance to win the game. With only 11 seconds remaining they made one last ditch effort. (If you’re waiting for my opinion, here it comes). Pass into the end zone, the Steelhawk receiver is checked into the boards with an effort that would make any NHL Hall of Famer proud and the pass drops. The entire stadium looks at that same “quick to the draw” referee to call a pass interference call and it never came. The Steelhawks settled for a field goal sending the game into overtime. Arena football follows college rules in overtime. If you aren’t familiar.. look it up.

The Steelhawks took another fieldgoal and Richmond drove the field coming about 5 yards out before their final play. Stabler arena was booming. Receivers signaled they couldn’t hear, the quarterback was waving and flapping worse than Peyton Manning and the inevitable happened. While giving one last command, Richmond’s quarterback turned his head, the center snapped the ball and it hit a surprised QB right in the groin. Nobody moved. Literally for about 1 second after the snap.. NOBODY MOVED. The QB proudly stood up with the ball (which could easily have gone 40 yards down the field) and dove into the end zone ending the game.

After the game, one thing I was particularly impressed with was both teams shaking hands and taking a knee to come together in prayer. These are good guys working hard and enjoying life.

When all was done, all were invited down onto the field for an autograph and photo session with the players fresh out of the game. I liked this with the Philly Force softball team and still like it now. This is something the Ironpig’s can learn from. One or two autograph sessions are nice, but an organized effort would be better. These players and the organization say they appreciate our support and show through actions that they appreciate our support. We need to get out and help support them as well.

Got to speak to Tammy Santiago, the “voice” of the Steelhawks on the game promotions team. Between quarters and time outs she held on field contests and I have to say I really felt for the guy who put a field goal attempt off of the left upright. Good times and good people!

Tammy Santiago. If you get a chance to say hello and thank her, please do so!

Altogether a great night. I received a lot of messages that the Noise Nation was visible often on the Service Electric 2 Sports broadcast and our thanks also goes out to them.

OinK! or should I say….. Screech!?

All photos courtesy of Noise Nation photographer Heather Mastropieri