The Noise Nation Staff was out in force yesterday getting some coverage of the end of the IronPig’s season!
The team seemed to have a light day as no batting practice as workouts were held but we found out how they keep themselves busy on the occasional mellow day at Coca Cola Park.
We got to chat with IronPig’s Manager Dave Brundage and General Manager Kurt Landes who gave us a review on the season and what’s to come in the remaining 3 games as well as insight on the deciding game of the IronRail Trophy competition tonight!
To close out we caught up with the guys from DuelingPianos.com who performed at last night’s game.
“So put me on a highway And show me a sign And take it to the limit one more time”
-Eagles
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Frequent comment contributor “der Zuschauer” pointed out the IronPigs success recently. They’ve clinched at least a .500 record. They’ve remained alive in the playoff race into the final weekend of games–and into the final home stand. I have to say, if you had offered me–on April 1–a guarantee that we would be .500 or better and still alive for the playoffs during Labor Day Weekend, with a chance to bring home some IronRail hardware as well….I probably would have taken it. Yes, we had prospects to begin the season. But, we also had a very young AAA team, with a lot of unknowns. Continued competitiveness would have signaled to me that the team was fun to watch and never gave up. Indeed that’s exactly what we got.
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I with I could say the same about myself. I love walk-offs, and am very sorry to have missed last night. I, too, left around the sixth inning when we were down 4-0 and it seemed the team didn’t have much fire. I didn’t either. Kudos to them–particularly the top half of the lineup and the bull-pen for holding it down and getting it done.
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So we’re still alive I said! What do we need? Well, first and foremost, of course, we need to win. We need a win to clinch a winning record on the season. We need a win to keep hope alive for the playoffs. And, mostly, we need a win to take home the coveted IronRail trophy! Raul Valdes is on the mound and I like our chances! What else do we need? We also need Norfolk to drop at least one of their games in a doubleheader versus Durham. And, we need Buffalo to beat Rochester.
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A Photo of the IronRail from the @IronPigs Twitter. Is the trophy in the house? I hope so. Love to see it get passed around at the Tiki Bar tonight!
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What else is going on? Wall Calendars tonight for the first 7,000 adults. There’s an Elvis tribute. And, there’s a Tiki Post-Game Party! Sunday is a late start 5:35PM with Lunch Bags for 2,000 kiddos. I may be hosting a small tailgate if you’d like to stop by before the game. Monday is the fan appreciation day, again, and there will be some special giveaways and probably half-price concessions (not beer) after the middle of the game or so. It’s a 1:35PM start, and I’m planning a little post-game tailgate for any who are interested. Stop on by. Look for the flags.
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Finally, I went on “Piggy Patrol” yesterday with Dan and Cheryl. We got some nice footage and a couple of interviews. Episode III of the Vast Valley of Sports is in the editing room as I type. Look for it soon!
With the loss in Scranton Wilkes Barre this evening the IronPigs are eliminated from the Division playoff race this season. (3.5 games behind in the Wild Card behind 3 teams with 4 games to go isn’t technically eliminated but might just as well be)
They fought long, they fought hard, they had injuries and they invested in an Easy Pass box for the Transaction Travel to and from Philadelphia but in the end it was just short.
Did we expect a championship? Sure, why not. I always expect it at the beginning of the season. Can we be upset they didn’t make it? Not really.
I have to say, win or lose, this team is the epitome of Lehigh Valley Professional Baseball. This team had solid representation at charity events (I don’t remember any players at the Annual Hackers & Homers golf tournament prior to this season when a good number of them attended), they were interactive with the fans and overall a good group of people who I never got the sense of being “Big Leagued” from.
For the other races, the Pigs are currently tied in the season series vs. the SWB Railriders at 7 games each. With 2 games remaining at Coca Cola Park in Allentown we will get to see these games and their results. The only tiebreaker, if both teams win 8 games, is whoever wins the last game is the season victor. Lose tomorrow and win Saturday and the trophy sits next to Kurt Landes’ desk for a year.
I AM kind of torn though. I want the Pigs to win yet I would love to see our beloved General Manager sing for us. Such the dilemma. Win or lose, I like that the “rivalry” has been re-established since it’s short run in the inaugural season in 2008 when Mr. Landes had to serve as a bat boy for the then SWB Yankees. (Anyone out there have a photo of that?)
The other race is the Average Per Game attendance! As of right now the IronPigs are in 2nd place behind Columbus. While we lost a few openings due to rain and subsequent doubleheaders, we still have a shot of being over 9,000 fans per game for the season. Sellout capacity crowds of 10,100 for the remaining 4 games would leave the average at 9,036 fans per game.
There are rumors of profit reducing efforts in Columbus to bolster attendance, (Dollar Dog days & such) I feel we can still get this win in there as well. It’s respectable to still maintain the high attendance since the beginning but darn it I wanna win at least one of these last two races!
Come on out and see this great team one or two or three or four last time(s)!
Honorable mention to SWB for their attendance this season. Well over 6,000 fans per game this season it far eclipses it’s draw in 2011 (4,586) and 2010 (4,981). Hats off to you RailRider fans and team ownership for making the investment for those fans.
Our local Tennis Pro Varvara Lepchenko lost a heartbreak in the opening round of the US Open in New York City earlier this week but continued on in Doubled competition with partner Saisai Zheng of China.
Lepchenko and Zheng defeated Sofia Arvidsson and partner Kaia Kanepi in two set winning 6-3, 6-3.
The duo move on the the second round facing Cara Black and Marina Erakovic.
I have mixed feelings as I write this. Let me describe what happened to start off the IronPig’s double header vs. Buffalo tonight.
I was at the Club Level bar waiting for the game to start. Just before the National Anthem the bartenders stop serving, go over to the big sound proof doors and open the doors so those inside can clearly hear and honor the National Anthem as is it sung or played.
One of my favorite moments of the night. (Some of you may or may not know I am a 14 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps)
I love the National Anthem.
Tonight the singer came out and belted out one of the best renditions I’ve ever heard. It was pretty clear this woman was a professional singer.
Before I go any further I will flash back to earlier in the evening. The Noise Nation staff is pretty familiar with the Press folks who frequent Coca Cola Park. Tonight we saw some outsiders going around with a film crew and wondered to ourselves who they were. They seemed focused on the opening “ceremonies” before the game.
Back to the National Anthem and as the angel voiced singer got to “Home of the Brave” the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. I was impressed. A moment passed and she kept going. Now I know the National Anthem has more than one verse and most within my sight smiled with pride that this gal was both knowledgeable and willing to sing all the verses. More so was I surprised that the tight scheduled team would allow her to keep going as the “Norm” is generally the first verse. Fans dutifully stood back up and remained so through the rest of the Anthem.
I was impressed. I really was. This woman, in my opinion, was THEE best to sing at Coca Cola Park here in Allentown. Ever.
Kind of reminded me of the movie “Mystery Alaska” (Click ahead to 4:30 in the below video for the scene I’m referencing)
Later I found out that her act was a gimmick, a prank, a test. Rumor has it that the film crew was from Sports Illustrated and the singer was a plant (with the team’s permission) to gauge the reactions of fans, players and staff to hearing the full National Anthem being sung before the game.
Also of note, it was reported that IronPig’s coach Sal Rende did not, in fact, have his stopwatch in hand tonight. (For those who guessed on this last week, you appear to be correct)
Inquiring minds want to know! Photo by Cheryl Pursell
I got kind of a bitter taste in my mouth. Just prior to finding this out an on field contest revealed a “prize” in the IronPig’s version of “Let’s make a deal” where a young girl chose the big box her father, who just returned from duty in Afghanistan, was hiding in. A very emotional and inspiring moment.
Welcome home! Photo by Cheryl Pursell
Now I loved hearing the entire National Anthem and loved the singer who sang it with pride and enthusiasm without turning it into an American Idol audition but I cringed a bit when I realized that this could been a “test” to see how people would react.
Personally, I believe the Lehigh Valley reacted in a good and respectful way. My hat’s off to you IronPig fans.
To Sports Illustrated.. do not doubt our Patriotism. We love the USA, good or bad. Just like we love our IronPigs!
UPDATE: 12:08AM
As Noted from Decal, we learned the identity of tonight’s National Anthem performer!
Also pointed out that Lena is part of a Tony winning Broadway show called “Kinky Boots” who is Directed by Jerry Mitchell, uncle of IronPig Derrick Mitchell.
OinK!
For those interested:
O say can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
As of this moment the IronPigs defeated the Buffalo Bison leveling the two team’s records at 69-66.
Rochester lost to Indianapolis. While maintaining their Wild Card lead this loss cuts the IronPigs to 2.5 behind.
Between Rochester and the IronPigs are the Norfolk Tide. The Tide at 70-64 have long been eliminated from their division contest are 6-4 in their last 10 contests. They are fighting hard and have a 1.5 game lead over the Pigs and Bison for the only wild card spot in the International League Playoffs. Pawtucket seems to be in solid control of first place going 8-2 over their last 10.
Tomorrow is huge for the Pigs.
Win both against Buffalo at home and they push Buffalo nearly out of contention. A double win would also take away that half game between the Pigs and Norfolk/Rochester.
Combined with Norfolk and Rochester losses tonight and tomorrow the IL Wild Card standings could look like this:
Rochester 72 wins 65 losses Leader IronPigs 71 wins 66 losses 1 game back Norfolk 70 wins 66 losses 1.5 games back Buffalo 69 wins 68 losses 3 games back
Granted there are only 7 games remaining but the IronPigs would be in a good spot to jump over Buffalo and Norfolk then keep winning and hoping that Rochester takes some losses from one last game against Indianapolis, 2 games with Syracuse, 4 with Buffalo and 2 with Scranton Wilkes Barre. Indianapolis has helped the Pigs gain ground but Rochester could easily handle the rest of their schedule.
It’s plain and simple at this point. The Pigs aren’t a long shot, nor is this a weak but unlikely scenario. It’s not even a win and they’re in thing. The Pigs need to win and Rochester and Norfolk need to lose.
I’m not too worried about Norfolk. They have a tougher schedule than Rochester does when they face Durham, Charlotte and Gwinnett with 6 of their last 8 games on the road.
The Pigs can do this. The Phillies have accepted their status as rebuilding. Hopefully they can get a few good solid starts in there and the bullpen comes through. With Tyler Cloyd returning it will certainly be a boost to the staff.
I’m hopeful, but I still haven’t purchased a post season ticket plan yet… yet.
In this episode we check out what the LV Steelhawks have been up to in the off season and we learn about Roller Derby from our very own Lehigh Valley Rollergirls!
Phillies Pitcher Roy Halladay Rehabbing Sunday in Reading
Starting pitcher will start on Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. when team hosts New Hampshire
READING, Pa.—Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay is scheduled to continue his Major League rehab with the Reading Fightin Phils on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. when the club hosts the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays) at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Sunday’s game is the final afternoon game of 2013 and features a Fightin Phils Team Baseball Card Set giveaway for the first 2,000 kids 14 and under. In addition to the giveaway, it’s a Fightin Phils Kids Club Free Ticket game where all members receive a ticket and exclusive access to the team autograph session at 11:30 a.m. (NOTE—Roy Halladay will not be a part of the pre-game autograph session)
Halladay was placed on the disabled list May 6 with right shoulder discomfort after struggling through the early part of the season, going 2-4 with an 8.65 ERA in seven starts. The right-handed pitcher was later transferred to the 60-Day disabled list on May 24th following shoulder surgery.
He has made two starts in his rehab assignment thus far with the Gulf Coast League Phillies last week and Lakewood BlueClaws last Tuesday. In his first start, he tossed six innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts across 87 pitches. With the BlueClaws, Halladay threw 90 pitches–52 strikes–over six innings and surrendered two runs (one earned) on seven hits and three walks. He also struck out four in the start.
A two-time Cy Young winner, Halladay is 201-104 with a 3.37 ERA in 16 major league seasons. His 201 career wins rank as the most by major league pitchers since 2002. The Colorado native is also an eight-time All-Star with two starts and has won 20 games three times in his career (2003, 2008, 2010). He has also finished in the top-five of Cy Young voting and ERA leaders seven times each in his career.
In 2010, Halladay became the fifth pitcher in MLB history to pitch two no-hitters in the same calendar year. Early in the season, he pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history against the Florida Marlins on May 29th. Later in the National League Divisional Series, he joined the New York Yankees’ Don Larsen as just the second pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the postseason when he did so against the Cincinnati Reds in Game One.
Halladay was originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 1995 draft and made his major league debut three seasons later in 1998. Halladay was acquired by the Phillies from the Blue Jays prior to the 2010 season after 12 seasons in Toronto for Travis D’Arnaud and former Reading players Michael Taylor and Kyle Drabek.
Tickets for the final nine games of the 2013 season at FirstEnergy Stadium are available by visiting Fightins.com, calling the Fightin Phils Ticket Office at 610-370-BALL, or by visiting the Fightin Phils Ticket Office in person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins and like them on Facebook via http://www.facebook.com/fightins.
If you look at the top left of this page you will see a change we implemented today.
Hail and Welcome to Noise Nation TV!
Farewell to the Noise Nation Calendar. You served us well.
What exactly is Noise Nation TV? Well, first and foremost… it’s for fun!
Periodically we will be posting fun videos as we capture them, throw in some specials using Kram’s “Piggy Patrol” segment as well as the newly minuted “Dijon Dipro” and occasionally a “Vast Valley of Sports” feature.
To access Noise Nation TV simply click on the image on the left side of this page! Enjoy!
Kram’s Piggy Patrol
Episode 1 of Vast Valley of Sports – “Day of Dipro”
This photo has us at the Noise Nation intrigued. Each game Sal Rende pulls out a stopwatch and shares the results with IronPig’s GM Kurt Landes. Happens at the same time each game.
So we decided to have a quiz!
Inquiring minds want to know! Photo by Cheryl Pursell
“At what point of the IronPig’s game does Sal Rende use a Stopwatch and for what?”
noisenation.mlblogs.com 