Monthly Archives: December 2011

December 31, 2011 · 11:48 am

Thank You!

With today being the second complete year of this blog I want to take a moment and thank you all for the past two years.

I realize I’ve mentioned this before but I started this to keep track of the IronPigs and have some fun. It has grown to so much more in these first two years and we’ve had a lot of fun.

To continue last year’s tradition, I am happy to post that in 2011 we had 68,366 views. (For those who like math that’s an average of 188 views per day – an increase of 77 hits per day from last year)

The cookbook fundraiser raised over $3,500 for the National Brain Tumor Society.

We sent a deserving child to the IronPig’s Baseball Camp.

The Noise Nation was featured in a Fox Philly story about the IronPigs.

It was a fun and great year and we have much to be thankful for. In 2012 we look forward to another baseball season led by Ryne Sandberg, the 2nd season of the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks and another fun filled season of Roller Derby with our very own Lehigh Valley Rollergirls. Andy Tracy is back on our coast and we will try to have a road trip to visit him in Williamsport. The R-Phils are hosting the AA All Star game. Don’t forget that the PBS 39 IronPig documentary will come out this spring as well. 2012 will be a great year for sports fans in the Lehigh Valley!

So here’s to you Noise Nation! Thanks for making 2011 a great year and looking forward to spending 2012 with you!

Talk to you next year!

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Filed under Noise Nation-Dan

December 28, 2011 · 5:50 pm

IronPigs to become a Major League Team?!?

Of course I only jest but I did stumble across a great blog post from “Sully” in Cali. Seems even folks in Cali recognize the quality product the IronPigs offer us each year.

Demote the A’s to the minors and promote THE IRON PIGS

The Oakland Athletics are acting like a minor league team and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are drawing like a major league team.

So for the next few years I think the A’s should be a AAA team and the IronPigs should play in the American League.

So while the A’s are a major league team acting like a minor league team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a minor league team acting like they are the big leagues!

Unlike the A’s, ALL of their home games are televised. Unlike the A’s, ALL of their games are broadcast on the ESPN radio affiliate.

And unlike the A’s, they play in a state of the art stadium, Coca Cola Park in Allentown Pennsylvania. It holds 10,000 fans and they drew nearly that each game. Supposedly the A’s drew around 18,000 a game in 2011. But if you happened to catch an A’s game on TV, there is no way there were that many people at each game.

I doubt Coca Cola Park needs to put a tarp in the upper deck.

Be sure to read the rest by clicking here – there is more on Ryno and ~~Pork Chop~~ Ferrous (I’ll have to correct Sully on that one).

Sully, if you ever find yourself at Coca Cola Park, we’ll be sure to show you the “Major League” fans we have right here in the Lehigh Valley!

DiPro’s Dish

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December 27, 2011 · 12:28 pm

Newest Member of Noise Nation!

My apologies for the lack of posts over this Holiday Season. Best wishes to all of you and your families!

I’ve been busy keeping up with the newest member of Noise Nation….

Blitzen

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Filed under Noise Nation-Dan

December 21, 2011 · 8:53 pm

Hector Luna!!!

The Phillies signed veteran third baseman Hector Luna to a minor league contract today. In 2011 Hector played third base for the Pawtucket Red Sox and hit a very respectable .283 with 14 homeruns and 58 RBIs. In 2010 he played for New Orleans in the PCL and hit .294 with 16 HR. Hector will turn 32 before the start of the 2012 season. He’s listed at 6’1″ 225 and has a lifetime major league batting average of .265 with 13 HR in 732 career big league at bats. He will most likely be the starting third baseman for the Ironpigs but will also provide some nice insurance at third base for the Phillies. Here’s a picture of Luna playing in the AAA allstar game at Coca-Cola Park on July 14, 2010 and a picture of him playing against the Ironpigs in July, 2011 for the PawSox.

The Phillies also signed outfield Luis Montanez to a minor league contract today. The 30 year old right handed hitter is listed at 6’1″ 195. He had 54 at bats with the Chicago Cubs in 2011 and hit .222 with 1 HR and 9 RBI. He hit .321 with 7 HR and 69 RBI with Iowa in the PCL.

In another transaction, to make room for Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies removed Carlos Rivero from the 40 man roster. Rivero was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals.

Finally, left handed pitcher, and 2011 Ironpigs member Juan Perez, signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers and former Ironpigs reliever R.J. Swindle signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals.

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Filed under From the Desk of Decal

December 18, 2011 · 8:23 pm

Transactions 12-18-2011

Some transactions of note (Thanks Decal for letting us know)

Ryan Edell signed with the Orioles

Greg Golson (Who the Phillies traded to get John Mayberry Jr.) has signed with the Royals

Cory Sullivan signed with the Dodgers

Mike Spidale and Rich Thompson both officially re-signed in the Phillies organization

Drew Carpenter was removed from the Blue Jays 40 man roster and outrighted to AAA

The 2011 IronPig season had a definative impact on the return of many players returning for 2012. In previous seasons we’ve seen a handful come back but in 2012 we could get back at least 7 (depending on the distribution and spring training performance)

Signed so far are:
Thompson
Bush
Feierabend
Podsednik
Frandsen
Orr
Spidale (Played mostly in Reading)

We also have some younger guys in the mix who weren’t eligible for Free Agency so expect a familiar team next year!

Is it April yet?

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December 16, 2011 · 10:56 am

Richie T Back in 2012 & Winter Banquet

It could be… (Thanks to Kram’s Korner for letting us know!)

Matt Provence has tweeted (@pigsradio) that:

“Unofficial reports indicate that OF Rich Thompson will indeed be returning to IronPigs in ’11! RT is LHV’s all-time leader in G, hits & SB.”

I suppose he meant ’12, but who wouldn’t want to relive the energy and excitement that the 2011 season provided.

That and knowing that he will be attending the IronPig Charities Winter Banquet (Formerly the Phillies Caravan).

The Banquet is a real good time and it’s for charity. I encourage you to attend. I’ll be there. So will Ryne Sandberg. If you want more details check out the IronPig’s website or give them a call.

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December 13, 2011 · 12:17 pm

Dontrelle Willis an IronPig?

I read it first at LehighValleyLive.com so will cite them…. http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/12/philadelphia_phillies_sign_pit_1.html

The Phillies have reportedly signed Dontrelle Willis to a 1 year deal.

Willis has appeared at Coca Cola Park before… perhaps us Pig Fans will be cheering for him this time!

OinK!

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December 12, 2011 · 12:53 pm

Future IronPig? Francisco Traded to Jays

Per MLB Trade Rumors,

Outfielder Ben Francisco has been traded to the Blue Jays for left hander Frank Gailey.

Gailey was drafted by Toronto in the 23rd round of the 2007 Amateur Draft.

Since 2007, he has pitched mostly in Rookie league/A ball leagues and made his AA debut in 2011 with New Hampshire going 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA in 19 games.

Probably not an IronPig in 2012, but could be someone we see with the R-Phils at some point.

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December 10, 2011 · 11:29 pm

More Transactions 12/10/2011

Just a couple this time…

Cody Ransom has re-signed with Arizona.

IronPig slayer Juan Miranda could be back in the IL after signing with Tampa Bay.

That’s all for today.

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December 10, 2011 · 12:49 pm

Phillies ink three – including Dave Bush (RHP)

The Phils signed the following three players to minor league contracts with non-roster invites to spring training.

Dave Bush (RHP)
PA native Dave Bush 32, began 2011 with the Rangers before a stop at AAA Iowa and finally in the LVH where he went 1 for 2 with a 3.91 ERA in 4 games and 23 innings pitch. Dave Bush got the start back on September 8th and earned the win in the IronPigs first playoff victory. Dave pitched 6 2/3 fine innings allowing 1 ER on 5 H with 6 SO and 1 BB and left to a standing o. Bush was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 2002 Amateur Draft.

David Purcey (LHP)
Purcey spent some time in the major leagues in 2011 and in 8 games with the AAA Toledo Mud Hens pitching 11 1/3 innings with a 2.38 ERA. The 29-year-old left-hander from Illinois was originally drafted by Toronto in 2004.

Steven Lerud (C)
27 year old Nevada native Steven Lerud spent 2011 in the Eastern League for the Bowie Baysox the AA affiliate of the Orioles. In 54 games Lerud committed only 2 errors with a FLD pct of .994 while batting .193 with 5 HR and 30 RBI along with 86 SO in 228 AB. An 8 year minor league veteran Lerud was drafted by the Pirates in 2003.

In addition, the IronPigs recently signed 26 year old Ohio born Free Agent Ryan Feierabend (LHP). In 2011 for the IronPigs Feierabend went 10-8 with a 5.39 ERA with 92 SO and 41 free passes. Ryan was drafted in 2003 by the Mariners.

Still need to find that perfect Christmas Gift? Sunday is the last chance for $.99 shipping on any sized online order at ironpigsbaseball.com.

DiPro’s Dish
OinK