Continuing my series on IronPigs Numerology. Who wore each number the best? Each player will be eligible only once if they appeared in more than one number…
Happy Day!
@Kram209
Category Archives: Kram’s Korner – From the Club Level
A Closer Look at the @ReadingFightins Promo Schedule
I was just taking a look at the Reading promo schedule and trying to match it up with the IronPigs home dates. (the full schedule is here ) Here are some things I noticed, by date:
Tuesday April 1, 6:35PM: The 222 game. Just as we suspected/already purchased tickets for. There will be a pre-game autograph session (just the Reading players if it matches last time). Many of the early season Fightins games will be 6:35PM, BTW, so check your schedule if you’re heading down.
Thursday April 3, 7:05PM: Opening Day for Reading features an Utley Bobble Doll and Autographed jersey raffle, and cocktails on the warning track…sounds great! I was tempted, but opening days are often “amateur hour” and I don’t really want to make it more crowded for the season ticket holders. But,….
Friday April 4, 7:05PM: …these early games are tempting if I’m not driving through the woods of Rhode Island trying to get to Pawtucky. A Reading Red Sox throwback cap for adults this night. If you can’t wait for early season baseball and don’t want to drive to Rhode Island, this might be the game for you!
Saturday April 5, 6:05: Fireworks and a beer tasting. If I can’t make it to Friday night, perhaps this one.
Friday Apri 18, 7:05PM: Ryne Sandberg throwback Bobble Doll. I’m really considering this. That bobble doll (they’re dolls. if you’re not comfortable with that then quit collecting them.) looks pretty cool. And Fridays are my days off. If the weather’s nice, I might get in line early for this one. The IronPigs are in Moosic with a visit from the Mountain Man. For you it might be different, but for me Sandberg Bobble >> Mountain Man.
Monday May 5, 6:35PM: Fightins Beer Yard for first 1000 21+. I’ve been meaning to get a beer yard. I wonder if it’s a full yard or just a half? No matter. I’m in. The IronPigs are in Charlotte.
Thursday May 22, 11:35AM: An Education Day in Reading. But, the IronPigs are home! So this might be an opportunity if you desire two games in one day…
Monday June 9, 9:35AM: Every year they have a morning game. I think the players hate this more than just about anything. But, I’ve always wanted to try one. If we could find an afternoon game, it’s an opportunity for THREE games in a day, with the IronPigs home at 7:05PM. Alas, it can’t be done. Checked Philly, Moosic, Lakewood, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Camden….appears nothing within driving distance. I think the IronPigs should do a 1:35PM “Business Person’s Special” on this day next season, and we’ll find a night game elsewhere. That would work!
Thursday June 12, 7:05PM: Jim Bunning Bobble Doll and autograph session. Plus a beer tasting! IronPigs are in Rochester!
Wednesday July 9, 7:05PM: Dom Brown Bobble Doll. IronPigs in Indy.
Sunday July 27, 1:35PM: Cole Hamels Bobble Doll! For the Kiddos! As it should be… IronPigs are in Buffalo.
Friday August 8, 7:05PM: Human cannon ball launch! I understand only one guy gets to do it, but if you paired this with the beer tasting the night before, you might get some volunteers. Just saying. IronPigs are in Toledo.
…
The Fightins tweeted me that they’re not planning a wing fest this season, which is a shame. I’ve been to a couple of those and they’re a good time–they’ve done a nice job with them and the wings were super.
Happy scheduling!
@Kram209
Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Reading Phillies
Who Wore It Best? @IronPigs Number 8
Who Wore It Best? @IronPigs Number 6
Who Wore It Best? @IronPigs #5
Phillies Fans Not Respecting the Ryne Sandberg Effect
Sandberg Ejected, and Ejecting. Photo: Heather Mastropieri
With Pitchers and Catchers about to report to Spring Training, this is the time in the season when hope is the highest. Even so, many Phillies fans about the interwebs are rightfully concerned about the status of their team. It’s an aging roster which will need good health first and foremost to compete this season. Second, while they don’t necessarily need resurgent seasons from some of the veterans, they do need competent play. This includes the pitchers, of course, where some questions need to be answered and some young bullpen arms need to realize their potential.
What I don’t hear anyone talking about (yet) is the Ryne Sandberg effect. Mr. Sandberg heads to Spring Training ready to begin the season as a Major League manager for the first time. His team was 20-22 after he took over at the end of last season, using a lineup which often resembled the IronPigs.
This is not to disparage Charlie Manuel who was 53-67. I think Charlie should be in the Hall of Fame as a manager. This is not to claim that Ryne Sandberg will be a good manager simply because he’s a Hall of Fame Player. This is to reflect on the fact that he will make more difference than folks think this season. Sandberg was 155-132 for the IronPigs over two seasons for a team that had never even made it to .500 before. He was 439-409 over six seasons as a Minor League manager–where winning “doesn’t matter.” Now it matters.
They say a manager may be worth only 1-3 wins per season based on managerial decisions: lineups, pitching changes, and the like. It’s the players who hit. It’s the players who field. It’s the players who pitch. The old group in Philadelphia this season is seen as lacking. However, I believe the tone Mr. Sandberg will set, plus the leadership he’ll provide, will help his players–veterans and youngsters alike–play better than folks expect.
Yes, they’ll still need to stay healthy.
But I’m surprised no one is talking about this.
Yet.
(They will.)
Just wait until he ejects his first umpire.
..
@Kram209
(and I’m not a Phillies fan)
Filed under Kram's Korner - From the Club Level
Who Wore It Best? @IronPigs Number 7
Who Wore It Best? @IronPigs Number 4
Who Wore It Best? @IronPigs #3
Who Wore It Best? @IronPigs Number 2
We started this shtick on the podcast last season–I stole it from another podcast. Nevertheless, it might be fun to go back through them–more completely this time–and we’ll all vote. No one ever wore #1 for the IronPigs, so we’ll go on to #2:
—
Players will be eligible only once, even if they wore multiple numbers during their IronPigs tenure.
Happy Voting!
@Kram209
noisenation.mlblogs.com 