Category Archives: Uncategorized

Andy Tracy signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks… more details when available.

The news broke late last night. Cliff Lee is signing back up to be a Phillie. What great news for Phillies fans and for fans in general.

Cliff Lee turned down the fat cash from the Yankees {spit} What a great thing to see a professional do. Take less money to play the game where he wants to play, for the fans who want him. What a reception this man will get when he steps back onto the mound at Citizen’s Bank Park. Think JD Drew but on the opposite end of the scale.

So as Ironpig fans… my condolences to those of you who are Yankee {spit} fans. I know we have some in our ranks. It’s ok. All in fun. The real question is how will this impact the 2011 Ironpig roster?

Without a doubt, Blanton will be gone. Kendrick will most likely not be a starter. The most capable would be Blanton, but you also have guys like Bastardo in there. Although a lefty, he seems a strong candidate for the 5th spot of a rotation with 4 who would be a #1 pitcher on most teams. You can have a rotation with a Righty (Halladay) Lefty (Lee) Righty (Oswalt) Lefty (Hamels) and Lefty (Bastardo). Let’s see how spring training treats everyone. Also, don’t leave Drew Carpenter out of the discussion as a fifth starter. (and I’m not just saying that because he sent a recipe for Frito pie in for the Noise Nation charity cookbook) 🙂

The Phillies current 40 man roster contains a good number for 2011 Ironpigs.

Pitchers:
Drew Carpenter – Yes, if he has a super strong showing in spring, he could make the show.. chances are high he will be at The Coke this season.

Sergio Escalona – He’s been here before. I have a feeling it will be tough to get a spot in the Phillies bullpen

David Herndon – Last year he rode the Phillies bench to keep him around after being a Rule 5 draft. With the full season at the MLB level he can be designated down to the minors for more seasoning.

Kyle Kendrick – Unless he accepts a long relief role with the Phillies, he will be a Pig.

Scott Mathieson – Scott can go either way. His fastball was a little too straight last season and if Bruce Sutter can get him ready to go.. a strong spring will put him in the running against Madsen. Could go either way.

Vance Worley – Worley did well last year. Another prospect who needs seasoning. Count on him in Reading or Lehigh Valley

Mike Zagurski – Another who needs to be in AAA for another season.

Catchers:
Dane Sardinha – Like McArthur… He’ll be back

Tuffy Gosewisch – Has a chance to be in Reading or Lehigh Valley depending on spring performance

Erik Kratz – Recently signed, he could have a possible spot with the Pigs. Probably looking to land a back up role for the Phillies, he could also be an early release if Brian Schneider outperforms him in the spring.

Infielders:
Brian Bocock – I don’t see him beating out Valdez, but you never know. Shortstop will be there for the Pigs.

Michael Martinez – Like Kratz, being recently signed could mean quickly released… but let’s see. He could stay on with us.

Matt Rizzotti – Unless something drastic happens, he will be the Ironpig’s first baseman. If Andy Tracy returns, it will most likely be in a player/coach role.

Jeff Larish – A veteran AAA infielder, I would imagine he is the Ironpig’s 2nd or 3rd baseman.

Outfielders:
Domonic Brown – I see him starting in the Lehigh Valley and finishing the season with the Phillies. Think All Star break. Depends on if/who the Phillies pick up to replace Werth.

John Mayberry – Suffering an injury early in the winter leagues, Mayberry might have a tough time in the spring. If he does well, he could find himself filling Brown’s outfield spot in Philly until Brown is ready.

Rich Thompson – Thompson is probably the strongest choice I have to return to the Pigs. He could be the only 2008 Ironpig to continue for 4 seasons and his popularity is only matched by Andy Tracy. Not to mention his hustle in the outfield and on the bases.

As far as the other roster spots.. the Pigs will see what the Phillies drop down unto them and there will be a 4th outfielder. There will be 4 to 5 starters and there will be a full roster on opening day.

Guess time for opening day 2011…

SP – Drew Carpenter
C – Dane Sardinha
1B – Matt Rizzotti
2B – Wilson Valdez
3B – Jeff Larish
SS – Brian Bocock
RF – John Mayberry
CF – Rich Thompson
LF – Domonic Brown

Just my thoughts. Feel free to add your own in comments.

OinK!

Neil Sellers signed with the Florida Marlins

Oscar Villareal signed with the Dodgers

Phillies signed:
RHP Brian Bass
C Erik Kratz
2B Josh Barfield

R.J. Swindle re-signed with the Rays

Brian Bass spent most of the 2010 season at AAA Indianapolis going 4 and 4 with an even 4.00 ERA in 69 innings.

Erik Kratz has spent the past two seasons at AAA also with Indianapolis. He finished the 2010 season with a .274 batting average.

Josh Barfield played in AAA Portland last season hitting .294.

All three of these guys, if still around in April, should be playing for the 2011 Ironpigs.

OinK!

Andy celebrated his birthday on the 11th by going 2 for 4 with 1 run scored, raising his winter average to .303!

No word on if he signed anywhere yet… keep checking back!

OinK!

The team has announced their job fair for open positions for the 2011 season. From the Ironpig’s website:

The IronPigs are seeking game day employees for the upcoming season in a number of areas, including food/beverage vendors, concession stand attendants, warehouse workers, prep cooks, line cooks, dish washers, ushers/ticket takers and KidsZone.
The job fair will be held on the Club Level at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday, February 5 and begin promptly at 10 a.m.

Those seeking to be a part of the IronPigs Game Day staff must be available to work nights and weekends beginning in April thru early September. Most weekday and Saturday games are played at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday games vary between afternoon and evening. A complete schedule listing can be found by CLICKING HERE. Also, Game Day staff must be on hand two hours prior to scheduled first pitch.
Those interested in employment must be 16 and older and be able to provide working papers to be eligible. Compensation will vary depending on position.
Those attending the job fair are asked to fill out an employment application by CLICKING HERE and bring it with them to the job fair.
Available gameday positions include:

• Food/Beverage Vendors
• Concession Stand Attendants
• Warehouse Workers
• Prep Cooks
• Line Cooks
• Dishwashers
• Ushers/Ticket Takers
• KidsZone
Coca-Cola Park is located at 1050 IronPigs Way, Allentown, PA 18109. Detailed directions are available by CLICKING HERE.
For more information, please call (610) 841-PIGS.

An application can be found at the Pigs website here

OinK!

From Baseball America:

2nd Round:
Nationals take RHP Brian Broderick from Cardinals
Astros take RHP Lance Pendleton from Yankees {spit}
Mets take RHP Pedro Beato from Orioles
Yankees{spit} take RHP Daniel Turpen from Giants

Triple A Rule 5

FIRST ROUND
Pirates take OF Brad Chalk Padres
Diamondbacks take OF Jose Rivero Mariners
Orioles take 2B Dale Mollenhauer White Sox
Royals take RHP Heath Rollins Rays
Nationals take RHP Michael Allen Twins
Mets take RHP Ronny Morla Cubs
Marlins take INF Jaime Ortiz Dodgers
Angels take RHP Daniel Sattler Athletics
Athletics take RHP Jeiler Castillo Astros
Blue Jays take 2B Ivan Contreras Angels
Cardinals take LHP Jean Mijares Twins
Padres take 3B Jake Blackwood Giants
Rangers take C Jessie Mier Dodgers
Braves take RHP Eliecer Cardenas Twins
Giants take LHP Justin Dowdy Rays
Phillies take OF Chris Frey Rockies
SECOND ROUND

Pirates take C Travis Scott Angels
Orioles take LHP Casey Lambert Cubs
Mets take RHP Richard Brooks White Sox
Rangers take LHP Starling de la Rosa Royals
Braves take LHP Rowdy Hardy Royals
Giants take C Dashenko Ricardo Orioles
Phillies take RHP Justin Friend Athletics

THIRD ROUND

Giants take RHP Matthew Sartor Dodgers

So the Phillies get RHP Justin Friend and OF Chris Frey.

Per Tommy Viola, media director for the R-Phils, Quintin Berry was taken away.

As posted by MLB Trade Rumors website:

•Pirates take Josh Rodriguez from Indians.
•Mariners take Jose Flores from Indians.
•Diamondbacks take Joe Paterson from Giants.
•Orioles take Adrian Rosario from Brewers.
•Royals take Nathan Adcock from Pirates.
•Nationals take Elvin Ramirez from Mets.
•Cubs take Mason Tobin from Angels.
•Astros take Aneury Rodriguez from Rays.
•Brewers take Pat Egan from Royals.
•Mets take Brad Emaus from Blue Jays.
•Padres take George Kontos from Yankees.
•Twins take Scott Diamond from Braves.
•Yankees take Robert Fish from Angels.
•Rays take Cesar Cabral from Red Sox.
•Phillies take Michael Martinez from Nationals.

Martinez hit .272 between AA Harrisburg and AAA Syracuse last season. He appears to be a right handed utility player. In 5 minor league season he has played all three outfield spots, all infield positions (except C and 1B) and even pitched in 2 games.

Nice music video passed to me from Decal…

He just wants a baseball glove autographed by Roy Halladay for Christmas. Keep a close eye to the video, some subtle humor included. Enjoy!

120 things to do before Ironpig’s opening day.

120. Get a McDonald’s McRib
119. Thank a Veteran for their service
118. Send a favorite recipe to the Noise Nation cook book
117. Have sushi for dinner
116. Take a walk in the park
115. Drive through the Lights in the Parkway
114. Listen to your favorite song over and over all day
113. Take an afternoon off and go bowling
112. Do a good deed
111. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

110. Clean out your car/vehicle
109. Eat a tray full of Philly Pretzels
108. Have lunch at the Black Forrest Deli
107. Get a mixed case of A-Treat soda
106. Eat a few Yacco dogs and wash down with chocolate milk
105. Quit smoking
104. Go Christmas shopping
103. Call Matt Provence and ask, “Is it April yet?”
102. Wonder if the Ironpigs will hit .500 in 2011
101. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

100. Watch the Twitter feed from the baseball winter meetings
99. Drive to Reading to check out their stadium renovations
98. Visit the Baseball Hall of Fame
97. Check out the Majestic outlet tent sale
96. Get a chili cheese foot long hot dog from Sonic
95. Try an afternoon of disc golf
94. Create a random Facebook petition and see how many join your cause
93. Email Andy Tracy asking if he’s coming back
92. Check out the pro shop at Coca Cola Park
91. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

90. Take in a trivia night at Applebees
89. Try wing night at the Pig Pen
88. Wonder why most of these ideas are food related
87. Join the Noise Nation’s weight loss challenge
86. Give up on weight loss challenge and have another McRib
85. Have a martini
84. Have a second martini
83. Drink ginger ale instead
82. Wash your bedding
81. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

80. Check out Todd Zolecki’s Phillies blog
79. Give up cell phone use while driving
78. Bleed the water lines in your home of air
77. Check the air in your car tires.
76. Change your car’s oil
75. Realize Dan is running thin on subject matter with all this car stuff.
74. Go through old clothes and donate to charity
73. Get a massage
72. Take another walk. After all this food you’ll need to
71. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

70. Clean the garage and / or basement
69. No comment
68. Clean all the windows in the house
67. Check your home for cold drafts
66. Go to Liberty St Tavern for colder drafts.. good pizza too
65. Make a big pot of chili to share with friends
64. Watch football?
63. Send a recipe to Dan so he stops nagging you for one
62. Make a scrapbook of your Ironpig memories
61. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

60. Reserve your seat for the Phillies Caravan event
59. Read the Horn and Bell blog daily, tell your friends
58. Clean out the rain gutters
57. Send Christmas cards
56. Watch every episode of the Office
55. Subscribe to Netflix (Be careful, it’s addictive)
54. Dress up like a Rhinoceros and run around Coca Cola Park
53. Keep a countdown until pitchers and catchers report
52. Try some Vietnamese Pho
51. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

50. Send flowers to someone you love
49. Write a letter. A real letter. On paper
48. Invite friends over for dinner
47. Tell a goofy joke
46. Give someone a hug
45. Stomp on a stink bug
44. Clean your bathroom
43. Paint a room in your home
42. Run a virus scan on your PC
41. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

40. Check out the Willow St Tavern for dinner
39. Buy Dan Christmas gifts
38. Renew your season tickets to the Ironpigs
37. Call Kurt Landes and thank him for a job well done
36. Wonder if the “real” Ferrous and FeFe will ever return
35. Smile, it’s worthwhile
34. Post “Where am I now?” photos on Facebook
33. Send recipe to Dan for Noise Nation Cookbook
32. Yes, I really want your recipes
31. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

30. Pat yourself on the back for continuing to read this post
29. Eat a salad
28. Wash down that salad with a cheesesteak
27. Shampoo the carpet
26. Shampoo your hair
25. Get a hair cut (Do 26 first)
24. Ponder new ways to make noise next season
23. Wonder who will wear the gorilla suit next year
22. Buy a new pair of shoes
21. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

20. Listen to Matt Metal on WXLV 90.3 Friday night
19. Send another email to Andy Tracy asking if he’s coming back in 2011
18. Block Dan’s email address so you he doesn’t ask for a recipe again
17. Post comments to the Horn and Bell blog
16. Wonder what day the Hackers & Homer golf tournament will be in 2011
15. Spend an afternoon snacking at Sam’s club
14. Wave to kids on a school bus
13. Watch the movie “Christmas Story” over and over
12. Buy someone lunch. (I am usually available after 2:00pm)
11. Visit Coca Cola Park and wish time went by faster.

10. Grow an off season beard
9. Ladies dancing
8. Eat something.. anything
7. Buy someone a drink (Again, available after 2:00pm on weekdays)
6. Stare at the wall and imagine it’s 60 degrees outside
5. Think that if it’s going to be this cold it could at least snow
4. Request a song on your favorite radio show
3. Check out the winter league results
2. Turtle doves
1. Write a list of 120 things to do because Bert wondered if you could..

Oink! 🙂

Andy Tracy hit his first HR with the Bravos de Margarita 2 days ago. He is hitting .296 in 27 at bats.

***

The Ironpigs have also announced their newest fan “club”… see notes from the Ironpig’s website:

Just in time for the holidays, the IronPigs have introduced a brand-new one-of-a-kind club for women 21 and older! Diamond Divas membership is just $30 and includes the following wonderful incentives:
■Limited-Edition Diamond Divas Tote Bag
■Exclusive Diamond Divas T-Shirt
■One ticket to Diamond Divas Group Night (IronPigs vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees on Wed., August 31, 2011)
■Invitation to Diamond Divas Ballpark Tour and IronPigs’ player Question & Answer session (Saturday, July 30, 2011)
■Invitation to Exclusive Diamond Divas Club Level Martini Social (Wednesday, August 24, 2011)
The Diamond Divas club is for women that are ages 21 and older. Due to ticketing for the IronPigs-Yankees game on August 31, membership will be limited. The tote bag and t-shirt will be available for pick-up at the Majestic Clubhouse Store starting February 26.

There are three ways to take advantage of this incredible offer for the holidays:
■Order Online
■Call (610) 841-PIGS (7447)
■Download Registration Form
Completed registration forms can be mailed to:

DIAMOND DIVAS
Coca-Cola Park
1050 IronPigs Way
Allentown, PA 18109

Become a member of the inaguaral Diamond Divas club today!

So now we have a club for kids (The Ironpiglets) a club for seniors (The Silver Pigs) and a club for women (The Diamond Divas)… where does everyone else fit in? That’s right.. still the Noise Nation Fan Club!!!

Heading into our 4th year and looking forward to a great 2011 season!

OinK!