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I’m choosing not to look back to this past season anymore.. time to look ahead.

The Pigs saw a lot of players come and go and we should have more than a handful return next spring.

Below are my thought, my thought only. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

Pitchers:
Brian Mazone – Mazone has been here for a while, with a short stint on the left coast, and if the Phillies will have him I think he has a good chance of returning. Probable.

Drew Carpenter – Like Mazone, the Phillies like this guy. Probable.

Joe Savery – Savery is still part of the Phillies unless released. I would imagine if he continues to pursue a position change he will find himself in A or AA ball to start the season. If he’s pitching, he will be in the Lehigh Valley. – Possible

Brandon Duckworth – Duckworth did well this season but I don’t see him returning. – Doubtful

Brian Gordon – Another pitcher who did well but it subject to free agency. – Doubtful

Oscar Villarreal – I don’t think the Phillies want to lose Oscar. – Probable

Ty Taubenheim – He should be in either Reading or Lehigh Valley next year. I’m thinking Reading. – Doubtful

Michael Stutes – Being a prospect, he’ll be around. – Probable

Derrick Loop – This guy is on the current Ironpig’s roster. Anyone ever heard of him? – Doubtful

Michael Schwimer – Like Arnold. He’ll be back – Likely

Scott Mathieson – This is a bittersweet call. Scott is a great guy and would love to have him back in the Lehigh Valley, but also want to see him succeed. If Bruce Sutter can get him online.. he will be in the Phillies bullpen – Possible

Catchers:
John Suomi – Depending on who the Phillies sign in the off season, Suomi will most likely find himself in Reading or sent packing. – Doubtful

Dane Sardinha – Sardinha is subject to free agency so he will probably not be back – Doubtful

Tuffy Gosewisch – I think he’ll be around. He’s been in Reading for a few years and I have the feeling that Brian Schneider’s back up role may be filled by him someday. – Probable

Infielders:
Brian Bocock – Although the beginning of the year saw him batting around .100, Bocock turned it around late. His defense earned him a promotion to the Phillies in September. He is a free agent so the Phillies would need to show a solid interest in him returning – Possible

Cody Ransom – The feeling I got from Ransom was that he didn’t like the Phillies and the Phillies didn’t like him. Lack of a postseason call up when Rollins got hurt most likely will keep Ransom from returning – Very unlikely

Neil Sellers – Another one of those long time. 2010 was his 7th season and I believe he could look at the free agent market. Possible.

Melvin Dorta – He was solid for the Lehigh Valley, but again.. – Doubtful

Ozzie Chavez – Again – Doubtful

Matt Rizzotti – Prospect who should be starting at 1st base for the Ironpigs in 2011. Yes, I said 1st base. – Definate

Andy Tracy – Andy played a good bit of last season with an injury yet still produced. The lack of at least one call up to the Phillies puts a hit on his retirement fund (one appearance in one MLB game counts as a year of service) and word is that Andy will most likely not be back. – Doubtful

Outfielders:
Rich Thompson – I could see Rich returning. He’s from the eastern PA area and the Phillies like having him around – Likely

John Mayberry – Here is one of those that is a tough call. If Mayberry plays well over the winter and proves himself in spring training, he could find himself in Philadelphia to replace either Ibanez or Werth.

Domonic Brown – Unless Brown burns down Charlie Manuel’s office during the off season he should be on the Phillies in 2011. Ibanez will most likely not return and I don’t think the Phillies will cash out to keep Werth.. especially after the big contracts to those who collapsed this post season.

Overall, I would expect more players to return than we have seen in the previous 3 years. The Pigs will catch a bunch of prospects who are guaranteed to be in the system. You never know if offseason trades will impact this but that’s what makes being a fan so interesting.

Thoughts / Opinions?

I saw a sign two night’s ago while watching the Phillies in San Francisco. It said, “All Cheese, no Steak.”

That really sums it up for the Phillies post season performance.

They barely made it by the Reds and when they waited around for the Giants to collaspe, they ended their World Series hopes tonight.

Makes you wonder if Ryan Howard running around town, taking in the Eagles game last Sunday should have been replaced by more batting practice. You would think for someone that recently signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract would be able to hit a curveball. I realize I can’t hit a Major league curveball either.. but if you check my paystub, I make considerably less than Howard.

Looking at the rest of the team.. the only high point was the starting pitchers. They were really hit around by the Giants. Imagine what the Rangers would have done to them. It wouldn’t have been pretty. This Phillies team was tired and looked like they didn’t want to be there.

***

I just might still attend the Ironpig’s world series party on Wednesday. I will personally be rooting for the Rangers. That team plays like a team. That they celebrated with ginger ale to support Hamilton’s recovery says a lot to how tight that team really is.

***

Speaking of the Rangers/Giants World Series brings me to another point. A point that always seems to come out when a fan’s team is eliminated. It’s not like I’m bashing another person’s team (when my own team was out of contention well before the all star break) but a friend brought this up tonight and thought I would mention it. For our friend Rolf, who loves those conspiracies.

I knew all well of the Texas Rangers financial problems this season. Not sure if they officially declared bankruptcy, but there was talk of it. My friend mentioned that San Francisco was also in hard time with their ownership. Think about how to improve ticket sales and other merchandise revenue. A trip to the World Series wouldn’t hurt. Hmmmm. Two teams on hard times that need money and they both make it to the World Series. Not taking anything away from either team (I still don’t think the Giants are anything special.. the Phillies handed them the championship) but it does look a lot like the New Orleans Saints winning the Superbowl the year that their stadium was repaired using disaster relief money. How nice would it be? I think those folks would rather have a home than a trophy for a team that threatened to leave town if the stadium wasn’t made a priority.

Just my opinion.

One of those things.

***

April is around the corner. I’m slowly working on growing a winter beard and spending a lot of time on the Noise Nation cookbook.

If you have a favorite recipe, please forward to me soon.. we will be putting the book together in a few weeks to get it published in time for the 2011 season. Also, any and all donations would be appreciated. All proceeds from the book sales will be used to benefit the National Brain Tumor Society.

That’s all I got today.

OinK!

Just a side note for today, something is better than nothing and that actually relates to today’s post.

Had an email from the Ironpig’s forwarded to me by about 10 people this week about an upcoming “Season Ticket Holder Event.”

The email goes on to say how in appreciation of holding a season (or any ticket package) in 2010 that Coca Cola Park will be opened up to season ticket holders to watch Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, October 27th. Ticket holders must RSVP and receive a complimentary ticket to the event which is invitation only.

First email:
Thank you for your support of the IronPigs as a ticket holder during the 2010 season and look forward to seeing you at Coca-Cola Park in 2011.

We are excited to host our World Series Viewing Party at Coca-Cola Park for Game 1 of the 2011 MLB World Series on Wednesday, October 27th. This event is exclusive to our valued Ticket Holders, as a thank you for your support of IronPigs Baseball.

Game time for Game 1 of the 2011 World Series is still TBA. The gates for the party will open 30 minutes prior to game time. Please check mlb.com for up to date game times for the World Series.

Some useful information regarding the event:

Complimentary parking is available in all of the Coca-Cola Park lots
Enter the ballpark at either the East Entrance in our AT&T Plaza or the West Entrance (Club & Suite Holder Entrance).
There are no assigned seats for the event. The Club Level, Club Level seats and Field Level seating will open.

You will need World Series Viewing Party Tickets for entry into this complimentary event. If you plan to attend, you will need to R.S.V.P. by Friday, October 22nd at 12:00 noon to your season ticket representative, by return e-mail to arohrbach@ironpigsbaseball.com or by calling 1-610-841-PIGS ext. 3.

We certainly hope you will join us on this fun-filled evening at the ballpark. Please contact the IronPigs season ticket department with questions.

Once again, thank you for your support as an IronPigs Ticket Holder.

LAUGH. CHEER. OINK!

I suppose that the Phillies might make it to the 2011 World Series, but I am thinking there was a typo involved as a second email came out today.

The second email clarified the details for this event and it specifies that the event is only for those who have purchased season tickets for 2011.

I guess without an All Star game to boast about in 2011.. some incentive to renew is needed.

Again, something is better than nothing.

OinK!

Yesterday afternoon as I finished up work for the week, my phone beeped and I had a new text message.

“Want to go to the Phillies game? Extra ticket, leaving in 30 minutes.”

I was dressed and out the door in under 5!

What a fun game to watch. Had front row seats in the 300 level along the first base line.

Got a great view of the entire field. Saw Chase Utley commit two early errors but.. hey it happens. Rather now than in game 7 of the World Series right?

The minor league affiliate mascots were at the game including Ferrous, FeFe, Screwball and the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor from Reading. I’m not too familiar with the others.. . but they were there too.

The Reds also had their fair share of errors last night as well. For a team that led the National league in fewest errors.. they looked rough last night. Must have been all the rally towel lint snowing down on them. After the now infamous error in right field, the fans were chanting, “Thank you Jay Bruce” and they let out a loud cheer the next time a fly ball headed his way and he caught it. Who says the Philly fans can’t be courteous to opposing players 🙂

I gave out a few Sign the K! yells to Drew Stubbs, just for general principle.

Attending the game with a veggietarian I did try my first vegan burger.. not great, not bad. Tasted like burnt mexican rice.. but I like mexican rice so.. try one for yourself. Also learned that PETA (Yes Rolf, PETA reference for you 🙂 has rated Citizen’s Bank Park as the best vegan friendly park in baseball. I guess we can put that right next to bubbles and free balloons!

Altogether, a great experience. If you’ve never been to a playoff game with that kind of energy.. I recommend you try to take one in.

OinK!

Phillies over Reds

Braves over Giants (Better match up for the Phillies)

Rangers over Rays (although I would like to see Matt Joyce continue to do well)

Twins over Yankees (yeah, I’m a hater when it comes to the Yankees)

Just for something fun to do.. I want to survey you all for your favorite recipes, foods, dishes, desserts, etc. Kind of in the spirit of the Weight Loss/Gain Challenge so include those healthy (and not so healthy) recipes that we could put together as a Noise Nation cook book. Please share with your friends too. Credit in the book (or pamphlet, depending on how many submissions we get) will be given to the submittor.

Thanks! Appreciate all suggestions, submissions and assistance!

Please email all recipes to editor@lvnoisenation.com

OinK!

Shared with us from the Express Times!

Listen to an interview with Ironpig’s General Manager Kurt Landes.

Use the link below to access.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/09/five_questions_lehigh_valley_i.html

Thanks to Lehighvalleylive.com for providing this to us!

OinK!

Thanks to Joe for pointing this out to us.

Per Philly.com

Steve Roadcap will not return as the manager at double-A Reading but will remain in the Phillies’ organization as a manager at the single-A level, according to a baseball source.

The Reading Phillies went 69-72 in Roadcap’s second season as manager. The Phillies previously announced that Dave Huppert would not return at the manager at triple-A Lehigh Valley. One of the two openings could go to Mark Parent, who managed single-A Lakewood to the South Atlantic League title this season.

At least we’re not Rochester…

OinK!

I know I haven’t posted anything lately.. reason is, the Pig’s season is over.

Transactions won’t start impacting us until the end of the MLB season.

The biggest news is Kurt Landes being chosen for a second year in a row as the league’s top executive. Also, noticed some new items in the online clubhouse store.

Not too much else going on. If you hear anything good.. leave a comment.

OinK!

Wish I could share it with you all..

Sorry.. HA!

I really do know something great. Wish I could tell you but I can’t.

In a few weeks I will say.. “I knew about that weeks ago!” and will refer to this post. Actually I knew about this before the 2010 season but then it was just a rumor.

Until then..

OINK