Category Archives: Lehigh Valley IronPigs

I arrived at the Park early this evening to take in some batting practice in addition to a photo op with my niece’s softball team. It was about the time during pre-game

FeRROUS entertains the Lehigh Township AA softball team.

warm-ups when the players are long tossing and I carefully tread my way behind them down the left field line keeping a watchful eye for any strays.

Phillippe Aumont was leaning along the wall in left by the PPL Picnic Patio. Standing next to him straining my neck looking up I asked how he was feeling. He said “Not good”. I asked if it was his back. He said “Yes”. I mentioned that the fans sure miss the 97 mile per hour fast ball we all hoped he was back soon. He said “Me too”. One could just tell Phillippe was not happy to be sidelined for any reason. At 6’7″ and 255 pounds I surely didn’t want to make the big man angry and wished him a speedy recovery and headed back toward the dugout.

It’s always a pleasure speaking with and listening to the media on hand. From Jeff Schuler to Micheal Lore to Doug Heater and Matt Provence the conversation is always insightful (and entertaining). As you may know the IronPigs (with Domonic Brown hurt) are playing with 22 players out of 25 and certainly need help in the ‘pen quickly. While it is not my desire to publish the rumor mill here, I

Ryne Sandberg

will say that if what was being tossed around comes true – we will all be surely pleased. Some moves are coming they have to be – but who and from where just may surprise all of us.

I caught a few moments with Domonic Brown in the dugout just after warm-ups. After introducing myself and Domonic acknowledging that yes he’s heard the bells, I of course asked him how he was feeling. Domonic said he was feeling fine and it’s just a small strain just above the bend on the back of his leg. He said he’ll take a few days just as a precautionary measure.

For me, Domonic has been a different player than last year when the boo birds were in full flight. He didn’t look happy

Bill Butler expertly lines the field.

then. In fact, it appeared he didn’t want much of anything to do with baseball at one point. It was sad to see the young man with so much potential riding the pine. The subject was discussed often with many fans and friends around the Park. The consenus among most was of course the mental aspect and some were downright (surprisingly) bitter about the whole thing.

Which brings us to 2012 and despite a few mis-cues in the outfield, I’ve noticed something different with Domonic this year. He is hustling on and off the field, smiling in

Domonic Brown

the dug-out, laughing with his team mates, signing autographs for the kids and overall looks like he’s enjoying baseball again. As we talked a little more Domonic brought up that very fact when I mentioned “It seems like something has changed from last year”. He said “You know nothing’s really changed much, I’m just having fun – trying to show the fans another side of me they didn’t get to see before.” I mentioned that he was hitting better than some Philly starters and with a perfect response he said “I’m not even thinking about that – I’m just having fun – working on my game.” You can’t doubt the influence of Ryne Sandberg on the maturation of Domonic Brown.

Following warm-ups D. Brown remained near the dugout while his team mates were dressing in the club house and appeared to be contemplating his next at bat or who to pie during post – not sure. Regardless, he’s having fun! Domonic then made his way to the kids (and a few adults) and signed autographs for nearly every one of them. He then delivered the flowers to the lady’s night recipients. The young man is making progress – progress on his way to successful Big League career – watch and see.

Harry Kalas sculptor Lawrence J. Nowlan and son.

As I was awaiting the softball team’s arrival on the field, a gentleman approached me noticing my camera. As we exchanged cards, he casually mentioned he was Lawrence J. Nowlan the sculptor of the very Harry Kalas statue that appears at Citizen’s Bank Park and as tonight’s give-away. What a great idea it was for him to throw out the first pitch and his young son thoroughly enjoyed his time on the field. Later, I was fortunate to locate Mr. Nowlan (with a little help) and spend a few moments watching the game with him. What a pleasure it was speaking with what may be one of the greatest sculptors of our time and a genuinely nice guy on top of it. He and his family thoroughly enjoyed their evening and had nothing but the highest regard for the IronPigs organization, Coca-Cola Park and the fans.

Despite the frustrating loss, spending the evening with family and friends both new and old is what LHV baseball is all

Kevin Frandsen makes lawn art.

about. From the usher who gave me a bp ball to give to my nephew, to almost putting a launch-a-ball in the big bucket, it doesn’t get much better than IronPigs baseball! Oh and I also discovered a new color – Provence blue!

Click here for the game story and below to hear The Voice.

Pig Out!

“Dishing Daily”

Rich ‘Richie T’ Thompson created an ESPN top-10 virtually by himself today after replacing an injured Domonic Brown (who according to reports is day-today). After a previous 0 hits in 11 tries, Thompson went 2 for 2 with 3 RBIs but the stats don’t tell the whole story***.

Charlotte would begin the scoring in the 4th when Josh Phegley (DH) singled a full-count pitch to right scoring Conor Jackson (3B) who also singled and the ‘Dangerous’ Dan Johnson who was hit with a pitch.

The Knights would get two more in the 5th after a Jose Castro single (2B), Greg Golson would triple and then score on a “soggy dog slobbered tennis ball” throw by Andres Blanco and would lead the IronPigs 4-0 into the seventh.

The kids are always cheering no matter what the score and in the bottom of the 7th, LHV would hear them loud and clear. After just 18 at bats for the IronPigs in the first six innings, Andres Blanco (SS) would lead off with a deep shot off the Rothrock sign for a double. Kevin Frandsen then ripped the first pitch past Conor Jackson to put men at first and third bringing up Pig ‘O the Day,  Richie T who just did everything right today.

***Proving that he deserves more playing time (and perhaps a promotion at some point) Rich legged out a perfect drag bunt that scored Blanco for the ‘Pigs first run and brought Cody Overbeck to the plate.  Then when Overbeck slapped a grounder to second baseman Jose Castro, Thompson in a brilliant base running move, deliberately put himself in a run-down to break up the double-play and keep the inning alive. Hector Luna would then come on to sac fly in the second run for LHV. I can bet ya some Philly Pretzels there are many up in the “big show” who do not have the skills Rich Thompson does. {wink}

The Pigs would score again in the 8th when after a Mitchell lead off walk and with two outs, Andres Blanco would single to right. Kevin Frandsen would then do his best ‘Richie T’ impersonation and single another drag-bunt down the third-base line. ***Up comes the man himself who would promptly take the second pitch from Knight’s reliever Brian Bruney and slam it down the line scoring Mitchell and Blanco and tying the game with a pair of 4’s.

Lehigh Valley got 6 innings out of Dave Bush who gave up 6 hits, 4 earned runs with a walk and 3 strikeouts before yielding to B.J. Rosenberg. B.J. tossed two shut-out innings surrendering 3 hits with a walk and 2 strikeouts. Phillipe Aumont came on in the 9th and struck out the first batter, walked the next, struck out the next batter and proceeded to walk the bases loaded. I noticed Aumont staring in the dugout between pitches as if he was looking for someone to rescue him. Hopefully his back is not still injured and he just had one of the “Aum-outings”. Jake Diekman  replaced Aumont and faced the bases loaded, two outs and Charlotte’s leading hitter, Josh Phegley (.373) at the plate.  Phegley popped the second pitch to center fielder Derrick Mitchell to end the threat in the 9th and ultimately earn Diekman his first AAA win.

In the last chance before all the buses left, Hector Luna drew a walk followed by a wild pitch by Brian Bruney and advanced to second. Mike Fontenot would use yet another bunt to advance Luna to third and Tuffy Gosewisch with two outs in the bottom of the 9th would single to score Luna.  “Pigs FLY!”

A tale of two games

Last night LHV won the game on two, 2 run home-runs. Today they won without anything more than one double, some timely hitting, Richie T, and a bunch of bunts. Whichever method you may prefer both resulted in entertaining games. Hopefully, the ‘Pigs will continue their winning ways tomorrow when Austin Hyatt (2-2, 3.12) gets the nod for the ‘Pigs and Charlie Shirek (3-2, 4.40) for the Knights.

It’s Harry the K bronze statue give-away night – lines begin at 3:30 pm!

Oink On!

Dishing…

Power prevailed propelling the ‘Pigs to victory and what a great night it was for baseball.  Many were happy to enjoy some pleasant weather (for a change)  to go along with some ‘Pig Power’!  Both Erik Kratz and Andres Blanco each ripped two-run homers in the 2nd  that would lift LHV to victory and end their 3 game losing streak .

IronPigs employees are always on top of it! I asked a gentleman at Fan Services a question and he knew the exact answer and delivered it promptly and professionally. It’s small touches like that we sometimes take for granted and we are lucky to be close enough to visit Coca-Cola Park often. I spoke with a couple tonight who travels from Pike County and mentioned they wouldn’t travel anywhere else for a game!

The ‘Pigs will have another shot at a “brunch” game today (10:35 am) and will hopefully fair better then last Wednesday’s trampling by the Bisons 12-1. Righty Dave Bush (2-2, 3.05) takes the hill for Lehigh Valley and the Knights send up lefty Eric Stults (1-0, 1.13).

“Pork Rinds”

– Of the ‘Pigs 87 Runs, 52 have been scored in the first half of the game and 35 in the latter half.
– 6 of the 14 (total) HR have been hit by LHV catchers.
– LHV has scored first in 17 of 25 games and are 9-8 when scoring first and are 5-3 when their opponent scores first.
– Since his 5 run, 1 inning outing at Pawtucket on April 10th, Raul Valdes has given up 8 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, and 17 K for a 0.00 ERA during that span.
– Mike Fontenot is riding a 5 AB hit streak and leads the team in AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS.

Off to the pix and The Voice – we’ll see you at the Park!

Dan* "Sonny Crockett" Johnson (1B) begins the second with a solo shot to right.
(*yes I know it was Don Johnson)
(Photo courtesy of Cheryl Pursell)

"Holy Kratz!" Erik Kratz answers Johnson with the game winner as he hits a two-run shot to left that scores Fontenot who previously singled.

Rynos like Power!
(Photo courtesy of Cheryl Pursell)

Andres Blanco touches 'em all with another two-run dinger to right following a Kevin Frandsen single.

Mike Fontenot (IS "FontenYES") and now has a 5 at bat hitting streak. That's right he's got a hit in his last 5 at bats (including 3-3 tonight) and is now hitting a blistering .407 in 8 games since joining LHV.

FeRROUS puts the whammy on the Knights who would not score again in this game!

Strong outing for Scott Elarton.
6 IP, 3H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1K
(Photo courtesy of Cheryl Pursell)

Perfect night for Baseball at Coca-Cola Park!

Raul Valdes slays the Knights.
2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4K
(Photo courtesy of Cheryl Pursell)

Jake Diekman saves the ninth after striking out 3 (with 1 HBP).

Click below to hear “The Voice” Matt Provence with the wrap-up.

Go Pigs!

The Dish