It’s taken me a while to think back over this 2011 IronPig season. Watching them walk off the field defeated Friday night left me with mixed feelings.
I was happy to have had the 2011 IronPigs, each and every one of them.
I was happy to see Ryne Sandberg leading the team all summer.
I was happy to see how a team of players came together, unlike the previous years.
I was happy for a break. Really, this blogging every day stuff wears you out. Rushing home after the home games to write up game notes, listening intently to every pitch announced by Matt Provence and Jon Schaffer, getting to the games early to check out that day’s promotions or special events. It’s a lot of effort.
I was sad we didn’t win the championship.
I am mostly sad that this season and this team is over. Get ready for 2012 and the reset switch will be pressed.
There’s a movie released a few years back, Adam Sandler was in it, where his girlfriend would go to sleep and forget whatever happened the day before and started that new day fresh. The same seems to go that way in minor league baseball. We may see some familiar faces back next year.. mostly the younger players. We were lucky in the past to keep Andy Tracy for 3 years and Rich Thompson for 4 years. How many faces have we seen come and go over the past 4 years or even this season. We said goodbye to guys like Brian Gordon, Jason Grilli, Drew Carpenter, Brian Bocock… to name a few. Imagine what the team will look like next year.
Will the 2012 team have the same sense of humor, the same chemistry and/or the same relationship with the fans? It’s hard to tell. Some guys have chosen retirement. I’ve heard that Jason Anderson has retired. Andy Tracy, while not officially announced to my knowledge, is likely to retire soon. Some of these guys have been playing pro ball for 10 + years in the minor leagues. I hope we get a good friendly team back in.
On that same note, I am sad to see this group of professionals depart. It was a great season not only because of finishing with a winning record or that the Pigs made the playoffs or that they made it to the finals. It was great because this year the players actually joined in all the fun at CCP that we haven’t seen much before.
Tagg Bozied and his Dos Piggies “Most Interesting Man in Baseball” skits.
Brandon Moss putting the playball kids up to something before each game.
The bullpen changing the lottery numbers posted.
Delwyn Young and Doug Heater holding an interview while riding tricycles.
Scott Mathieson bringing his dog to the bullpen on dog day.
Kids being invited to join the players in the bullpen for an inning.
There are so many more… these come to my mind first. Feel free to add your own memories in the comments.
While the relief of the season’s end is among us, we have a whole off-season to refresh and get ready for next year.
My only hope for the off season…. that we have a team next year that comes close to the team we had this year. (And the Seahawks winning the SuperBowl, but I think I have a better chance at the former happening)
Over the next few weeks Decal, Kram, DiPro & I will keep the blog going through the Championship Series and World Series. Then begins the fun stuff of transactions, trades, moves and planning begins for 2012. It was a memorable season and I’m seeing this offseason as being a crazy time as well.
One last thing I’d like to say.
The first month I logged into the Noise Nation Horn & Bells blog was January 2010. That month the blog had 70 hits for the entire month. We finished the year out with over 37,000 views. In 2011, as of this writing, we have had 56,799 views this year. That number is thanks to you the reader.
I never in my wildest dreams thought anyone would want to read what I wrote (I’d imagine my 7th grade English teacher would agree with me) but I want to again take a moment and thank you for reading, for commenting, for participating in our blog.
I would also like to take a second to thank those who supported the Noise Nation this season. Look at all the icons on the right side and you will see those generous folks who made our cook book fundraiser a success. Please do your best to support these local businesses.
Many, many thanks go out to Bert and his Philly Pretzel crew! They have always gone above and beyond on their support of the Noise Nation and we thank you!
What the Noise Nation did in 2011:
Charity Cookbook – Raised almost $3,500 for the National Brain Tumor Society
IronPig Camp – Sponsored a deserving child to attend the IronPigs baseball camp.
Group trip to Scranton to see the Pigs face the SWB Yankees
Group trip to Pawtucket. (More on this trip here.)
While we will be taking a short break to relax this week, stay tuned to the blog for more info on upcoming events and activities.
We will be checking out the LV Roller Girls Roller Derby team, an authentic Russian Dinner “Kiev Night” at the Black Forrest Deli in Bethlehem and also look to get ready for the LV Steelhawks season in the spring. Anyone else interested in taking a road trip to see the Phantoms before they move to Allentown?
I’ll leave it at that for tonight.
OinK.
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Thanks Schwimmer for letting my boys go out and sit with the bullpen guys for that inning. It was an experience I know they will never forget. They still talk about it to this day.
Moss with the Field of Dreams kids was awesome. I loved watching to see what he would have the kids do.
These players were more accessible and friendly toward the fans. They get why the fans were there every day.
I love following the players on twitter and then having them acknowledge you is neat. Yes, I may be 34, but I’m still a kid at heart.
The IronPigs had an amazing season. Yes, it didn’t end the way we all would have liked it to, but man, what memories they made. I can’t wait until next season when we are going to start a ballpark tour. I think we’re going to pick one stadium and go watch the IronPigs play there. What a great way to spend a family vacation!
Sarge, what have you heard from PBS-39 about the documentary they’ve been working on over most of the second half of the season? Were they planning to release it later on this year, or prior to the start of next season?
The documentary is scheduled to be released shortly before the beginning of next season.
THANKYOU MY FRIENDS
I feel like this is the last day of school and we are all saying our goodbyes and getting our yearbooks signed, but I know we shall see each other here and there during the off season. The Winter will present a much needed rest and a different set of activities.
Congrats on all the hits this year as well. Blog Finger was only responsible for 1000 or so of them so the rest are legit.. 😉
Since I’m not sure how to post on the blog, I’ll give you my take on the “Magic Carpet Ride” here.
The smoke has barely cleared on what was the 2011 season as I have now dubbed “The Magic Carpet Ride” and man what a ride it is. Briefly I’d like to go back a year. At the end of 2010 I probably suffered the worst case of emotional burnout ever and as most of you know I nearly bagged the 2011 season stating I lost my heart for it. Man I’m glad I had a change of heart and here’s why. Heading to the Route 222 showcase back on that freezing April night, which by the way, was a last minute decision on my part as to whether or not I might attend, I walked into CCP with good friend and Noise Nation founder Dan and began to feel the love as we were welcomed back by all the people who know us. This reminded me as to why I attend these games in the first place, the friendships and bonds we make each and every year. I know I blew off my regular seat in sec. 108 this season but my calling was to be more a part of Noise Nation and thank you to all, you guys saved me!! Boy we certainly did make some memories!!
Speaking of which, were do I begin?? The incredible playoff run, the PBS Documentary which I can’t wait to see, finishing above .500, our trip to SWB, hanging out in the trough, Phear the Phro, my 250th and 275th games, by the way game 275 for me was Game 1 of the divisional playoffs, the Fox Philly 29 clip just to name a few! Most importantly, hanging out with great friends watching our team gell and get along so well that it rode us to the brink of the IL Championship!! What more can anyone ask?? So glad I did come back!
As much as I didn’t want it to end I do need a break to refresh the old battery so in closing I’d like to say thanks to Dan, thanks for making this a great year brother! Couldn’t have done it without you man. Ron and Sara, love the elbows!! it’s been a blast and Jason DiPro, you’ve been a great addition to our gang!! That’s just to name a few! Can’t begin to name the rest but you know who you are!
In closing I’d like to say have a great off-season and I look forward to 2012. Also can’t wait for our off-season activities, the LV Rollergirls and the LV Steelhawks!!
And that’s Jimmy T’s take!
Oink on!!